Dictionary entry details
• WAIT (noun)
Meaning:
Time during which some action is awaited
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Synonyms:
delay; postponement; time lag; wait; hold
Context examples:
instant replay caused too long a delay / he ordered a hold in the action
Hypernyms ("wait" is a kind of...):
break; intermission; interruption; pause; suspension (a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "wait"):
extension (a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt)
moratorium (a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged)
retardation (the extent to which something is delayed or held back)
Meaning:
The act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
waiting; wait
Context example:
the wait was an ordeal for him
Hypernyms ("wait" is a kind of...):
inactivity (being inactive; being less active)
• WAIT (verb)
Meaning:
Stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "wait"):
ambuscade; ambush; bushwhack; lie in wait; lurk; scupper; waylay (wait in hiding to attack)
cool one's heels; kick one's heels (wait or pass the time aimlessly or futilely; be kept waiting)
stand by; stick about; stick around (be available or ready for a certain function or service)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Sentence example:
They wait a long time
Meaning:
Wait before acting
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
hold off; wait; hold back
Context example:
the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment
Hypernyms (to "wait" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "wait"):
hold out (wait uncompromisingly for something desirable)
delay (act later than planned, scheduled, or required)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Sentence example:
They wait to move
Meaning:
Look forward to the probable occurrence of
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
await; wait; expect; look
Context examples:
We were expecting a visit from our relatives / She is looking to a promotion / he is waiting to be drafted
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "wait"):
anticipate; look for; look to (be excited or anxious about)
hang on; hold on; hold the line (hold the phone line open)
look to (turn one's interests or expectations towards)
look forward (expect or hope for)
expect (look forward to the birth of a child)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Meaning:
Serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
waitress; wait
Context example:
I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's
Hypernyms (to "wait" is one way to...):
work (exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
