waiting

/'weitiɳ/

Thân thiện

A young boy is waiting for the school bus at the corner.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of remaining inactive in one place while expecting something: The state or period of time during which one stays in a place, delaying action, in anticipation of an event or person.
   • The occupation of a waiter or waitress: The job of serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or similar establishment.

2. Adjective:

   • Being and remaining ready and available for use: In a state of readiness or availability, often for a specific purpose or person.
   • Serving at a table: Pertaining to the role of a waiter or waitress.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The long waiting for the test results made her anxious. (The prolonged period of anticipation for the test results caused her anxiety.)
  • She found a job in waiting at a local café. (She found employment as a server in a local café.)

• Adjective:

  • A fleet of waiting taxis stood by the station. (A group of taxis, ready for use, was stationed near the station.)
  • The waiting staff were very attentive. (The servers were very attentive.)

Advanced Usage

• "in waiting": In a state of readiness to serve a specific person, especially in a formal or royal context.

  • She was appointed as a lady-in-waiting to the queen. (She was given the role of a personal attendant to the queen.)

• "waiting game": A strategy involving delay or inaction to gain an advantage.

  • The negotiators are playing a waiting game to see who will make the first offer. (The negotiators are deliberately delaying to see who will act first.)

• "waiting list": A list of people waiting for something, such as a service, product, or opportunity.

  • The popular course has a long waiting list. (Many people have signed up to take the popular course when a spot becomes available.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wait (verb/noun): To stay in place or delay action in expectation; the period of such delay.

  • We had to wait for an hour. (We had to stay for an hour in expectation.)

• Waiter/Waitress (noun): A person whose job is to serve customers at their tables in a restaurant.

  • The waiter brought the menu. (The server brought the menu.)

• Await (verb): To wait for, expect, or be in store for.

  • We await your decision. (We wait for your decision.)

Synonyms

• Noun (act of waiting): Delay, hold, pause, anticipation.
• Noun (occupation): Service, table service.
• Adjective (ready): Ready, available, on call, standing by.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Wait on/upon: To serve food or drinks to someone at a table; to attend to someone as a servant or attendant.

  • The butler waited on the guests. (The butler served the guests.)

• Wait up: To delay going to bed in order to wait for someone.

  • Don't wait up for me; I'll be home late. (Do not stay awake waiting for me; I will return late.)

Related Idioms

• "Waiting in the wings": Ready to take action or to replace someone when the opportunity arises.

  • Several candidates are waiting in the wings for the manager's job. (Several candidates are ready to take the manager's position when it becomes available.)

• "A waiting room": A room where people can sit while waiting, e.g., in a doctor's office or station.

  • Please have a seat in the waiting room. (Please sit down in the room designated for those who are waiting.)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. being and remaining ready and available for use
   • waiting cars and limousines lined the curb
   • found her mother waiting for them
   • an impressive array of food ready and waiting for the guests
   • military forces ready and waiting

Noun

1. the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
   • the wait was an ordeal for him

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ready and waiting
• wait