wait

I UK [weɪt] / US verb [intransitive]
Word forms "wait":
present tense I/you/we/they wait he/she/it waits present participle waiting past tense waited past participle waited
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1)

a) to stay in one place because you expect or hope that something will happen

Sheryl said she'd be waiting in the lobby.

wait for:

He was attacked while he was waiting for a bus.

The airport was full of anxious relatives, waiting nervously for news of the missing plane.

wait until/till:

Let's sit down and wait until Bob gets here.

wait to do something:

The television showed thousands of frightened people waiting to board buses.

b) to delay doing something until someone arrives or until something else happens

I'm busy right now, so you'll just have to wait.

wait for:

Shall we start eating, or should we wait for the others?

The police are waiting for more evidence before making an arrest.

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Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with wait
▪  anxiously, eagerly, expectantly, impatiently, nervously, patiently, quietly

2) to be hoping or expecting that something will happen

wait for:

I've been waiting for a refund cheque for several months.

wait for someone/something to do something:

There's no point waiting for her to change her mind.

3) to be ready for someone to take or use

wait for:

There's a package waiting for you in the office.

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something can/cannot wait — used for saying that something does not need to be done now/needs to be done now

I need to talk to you and I'm afraid it can't wait.

someone can't wait/can hardly wait — used for saying someone is very excited about something that they expect will happen

I can't wait for the holidays.

Marlene can hardly wait to go to the beach again.

just wait until/till — spoken used for saying that someone should be patient for a moment; spoken used for saying someone will be very surprised or happy when they see something; just (you) wait (until/till)

spoken used for telling someone that they will be in trouble if they do not stop behaving badly

Just wait until I've finished this story.

Just wait till you see how she's grown!

Just you wait till your father gets home.

wait a minute/second — spoken used for telling someone to be patient while you think; spoken used for telling someone to stop and wait for you; spoken used for expressing surprise about something that has just happened or been said, usually something that seems wrong; spoken used for saying that you disagree with what someone is saying or doing, or that you want them to listen to you

Oh, wait a minute, I'm trying to remember her name.

Wait a minute – I have to tie my shoe.

Wait a second, wasn't Jackie supposed to be here?

Wait a minute, that's not what I said!

wait at table/on tables — to serve food to people in a restaurant or café

waiting in the wings/waiting (for) your chance — to be prepared for an opportunity to do something that you have wanted to do for a long time

Another group of young skaters is waiting in the wings.

what are you waiting for? — spoken used for telling someone that they should do something immediately, and not delay

What are you waiting for? Jump in!

- keep someone waiting

- there's no time to wait

- wait and see

- wait for it

- wait in line

- wait your turn

- waiting to happen

- something will have to wait

Phrasal verbs:

- wait around

- wait behind

- wait in

- wait on

- wait out

- wait up

II UK [weɪt] / US noun [singular] *

a period during which you stay in one place, or you delay doing something, because you expect or hope that something will happen

After an anxious two-hour wait, I saw the doctor.

Expect a long wait if you intend to buy tickets.

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See:

lie I