American English
/ˈweɪ.ɾɪŋ/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of wait
Waiting can be used as a verb form in continuous sentences or as a noun for the activity itself.
Staying in a place or remaining ready until a person arrives or something happens.
Practice out loudStaying in a place or remaining ready until a person arrives or something happens.
I am waiting for my friend to arrive.
Many people are waiting outside the theater.
Use “waiting for” before a person or thing: “waiting for me,” not “waiting me.”
Delaying an action until later or until you know more.
We are waiting to hear the test results.
She is waiting before making a decision.
Serving customers, especially in a restaurant or store.
He is waiting tables at a restaurant.
She is waiting on a customer.
The activity of staying in a place or remaining ready until someone arrives or something happens.
Many people find waiting in line tiring.
The waiting was harder than the test.
to wait before deciding what will happen
We’ll wait and see what happens.
to be very excited about something that will happen soon
I can’t wait to see you.
to ask someone to pause briefly or to show surprise
Wait a minute—this isn’t my bag.