waiting
/weɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈetɪŋ] /weɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈetɪŋ] /ˈwāt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈetɪŋ] /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
waiting — verb
- waitingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- waitings3rd person singular
- waitinging-ing form
- waitingedpast simple
1. to stay in one place or pause what you are doing because you expect someone to a
to stay in one place or pause what you are doing because you expect someone to arrive or something to happen
Élise waited for the bus at the stop for almost twenty minutes.
wait + for + object
The children could not wait to open their birthday presents.
wait + to-infinitive
Kabir waited for the nurse to call his name before going in.
A long line of passengers waited on the platform as the train pulled in.
- leave
to go away from a place rather than remain there expecting something
文法句型
wait + for + object
wait + to-infinitive
wait + object (e.g., wait one's turn)
常見錯誤
2. of a task, decision, or event to be intentionally left undone or postponed until
of a task, decision, or event to be intentionally left undone or postponed until a more convenient time
The paperwork can wait until Monday — let us go home for the weekend.
can wait = can be postponed
Jude decided the dishes could wait while he finished writing his report.
Gabriela knew the decision about the new office would have to wait for next month.
Bilal decided the garden work could wait while he watched the football match.
- be postponed
more neutral and formal; does not imply a deliberate choice to delay
- be put off
informal; similar meaning but suggests delaying because of convenience
- be urgent
cannot be delayed; needs immediate attention
文法句型
can wait
will have to wait
cannot wait
用法筆記
Almost always used with modal verbs (can, could, will have to). The subject is typically a task, decision, or event — not a person.
常見錯誤
3. written on official road signs and notices to tell drivers that they must not st
written on official road signs and notices to tell drivers that they must not stop their vehicle in that area, even for a short time
A red sign at the entrance read "No waiting — delivery vehicles only."
sign wording: No waiting
Kwame received a parking fine for waiting in a restricted zone near the station.
The double yellow line along the road means no waiting at any time.
Joon drove around the block because the sign said no waiting on that street.
文法句型
No waiting
no waiting at any time
no waiting sign
用法筆記
In British English, 'No waiting' on a sign means no stopping at all. In American English, the equivalent sign usually says 'No parking' or 'No stopping.'
waiting — noun
1. the amount of time that passes while you remain in place, expecting someone to c
the amount of time that passes while you remain in place, expecting someone to come or something to happen
After a long wait at the airport, Talia saw her sister walk through the gate.
long wait = extended waiting period
The waiting list for the popular restaurant was over three weeks long.
There was a short wait before the nurse called Emma's name.
The waiting room was full of passengers holding numbered tickets.
文法句型
a + adjective + wait
long / short wait
waiting period
用法筆記
Often appears in compound nouns like 'waiting room,' 'waiting list,' and 'waiting area.' As a countable noun ('a wait'), it usually follows an adjective describing length.
2. the job of serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant, café, or simila
the job of serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant, café, or similar establishment
Christopher got a summer job doing waiting at a café near the beach.
doing waiting = working as a server
Wei paid for college by taking waiting jobs at night.
Waiting can be hard work, especially during the dinner rush on Fridays.
Lakan found that waiting paid better than his previous job at the supermarket.
- waiting tables
more common in American English; means the same thing
- serving
broader term; can refer to serving food in any setting, not just restaurants
文法句型
doing waiting
waiting job
用法筆記
This sense is less common in American English, where 'serving' or 'waiting tables' is preferred. 'Doing waiting' is chiefly British.