verb / noun / interjection
wait
A pause before something happens or continues.
The woman waits at the shelter as the bus approaches.
Etymology
The older verb concerns watching or remaining attentive. A wait is the interval spent remaining ready for an expected event.
In context
I'll wait until I craft the perfect response before I do it.
More examples
- The wait lasted an hour.
- Wait, I forgot my coat!
- She waited patiently for her turn.
Forms
wait · waits · waited · waiting
Similar words
- hold on
- An informal equivalent for delaying action.