waive

/weɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /weɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwāv/ (ame, mw)

waive — verb

  • waivepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • waiveshe / she / it
  • waivedpast simple
  • waiving-ing form

1. to decide not to insist on a rule, right, or claim when you have the legal or of

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to decide not to insist on a rule, right, or claim when you have the legal or official power to enforce it — for example, a bank waiving a late fee, or a defendant waiving their right to a jury trial.

例句

The bank agreed to waive the late fee after Christopher explained his situation.

collocation: waive a fee

Ilan waived his right to a jury trial by signing the court document.

collocation: waive a right

同義詞
  • relinquish

    suggests giving up something you hold or possess, often physical or tangible; more formal than waive

  • forgo

    emphasises choosing not to have or do something enjoyable; less legalistic than waive

  • dispense with

    phrasal verb meaning to do away with a rule or procedure; slightly less formal

反義詞
  • enforce

    to insist that a rule or law be obeyed

  • assert

    to actively demand or insist on a right you have

文法句型

waive + noun phrase

be waived

用法筆記

Frequently passive. The thing being waived must be something the speaker or institution has the right to enforce — you cannot waive a rule that does not apply to you. Common in legal, financial, and bureaucratic contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I waived my doctor's appointment this morning.
✅I cancelled my doctor's appointment this morning.
💡'waive' is not a general synonym for 'cancel'; it only applies to giving up a right, rule, or requirement.
❌The manager waived the employee for being late.
✅The manager excused the employee for being late.' or 'The manager chose not to enforce the late policy.
💡'waive' takes the rule/requirement as its object, not the person.

2. in US professional sports leagues, to take a player off your team's official ros

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

in US professional sports leagues, to take a player off your team's official roster so that other teams can sign that player before they become available to any team.

例句

The Mavericks waived the veteran guard to free up salary cap space.

collocation: waive a player

After Élise was waived by the Storm, she was picked up by the Mercury.

passive: was waived by [team]

同義詞
  • cut

    more informal and general; used in both professional and amateur sports

  • release

    broader meaning; also used for contract terminations outside sports

文法句型

be waived by + team

waive + player

用法筆記

Primarily used in US professional sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, WNBA). The process is called 'waivers', and a player who goes through it successfully is said to have 'cleared waivers'. Not used in non-professional or most international sports contexts.