AWAIT

expect, look, await, wait

(verb) look forward to the probable occurrence of; “We were expecting a visit from our relatives”; “She is looking to a promotion”; “he is waiting to be drafted”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

await (third-person singular simple present awaits, present participle awaiting, simple past and past participle awaited)

(transitive, formal) To wait for.

(transitive) To expect.

(transitive) To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for.

(transitive, intransitive) To serve or attend; to wait on, wait upon.

(intransitive) To watch, observe.

(intransitive) To wait; to stay in waiting.

Usage notes

• As await means to wait for, it is not followed by "for". *I am awaiting for your reply is therefore incorrect.

Synonyms

• (wait for): wait for, anticipate, listen (of a sound); See also wait for

• (serve or attend): attend to, service; See also serve

Noun

await (plural awaits)

(obsolete) A waiting for; ambush.

(obsolete) Watching, watchfulness, suspicious observation.

Anagrams

• Iwata

Source: Wiktionary


A*wait", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Awaited; p. pr. & vb. n. Awaiting.] Etym: [OF. awaitier, agaitier; (L. ad) + waitier, gaitier to watch, F. guetter. See Wait.]

1. To watch for; to look out for. [Obs.]

2. To wait on, serve, or attend. [Obs.]

3. To wait for; to stay for; to expect. See Expect. Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat, Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night. Milton.

4. To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for; as, a glorious reward awaits the good. O Eve, some farther change awaits us night. Milton.

A*wait", v. i.

1. To watch. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To wait (on or upon). [Obs.]

3. To wait; to stay in waiting. Darwin.

A*wait", n.

Definition: A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

21 March 2025

SESQUIPEDALIAN

(adjective) given to the overuse of long words; “sesquipedalian orators”; “this sesquipedalian way of saying one has no money”


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Coffee Trivia

In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.

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