Definition

1. Noun:

   • A moving ridge or swell on the surface of a body of water: A wave is a ridge of water, especially on the sea, that moves across the surface.
   • A shape or pattern with a series of curves: A wave can refer to a line or form that has a smooth, repeating, up-and-down or back-and-forth shape.
   • A sudden increase or surge of a feeling, activity, or phenomenon: A wave can describe a sudden, powerful occurrence or increase of something intangible, like an emotion or a trend.
   • A gesture made by moving the hand or an object back and forth: A wave is the act of moving your hand or something held in your hand from side to side as a signal or greeting.
   • (Physics) A disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or space: In physics, a wave is a periodic disturbance that travels through space or matter, transferring energy without permanently displacing the medium (e.g., sound waves, light waves).

2. Verb:

   • To move one's hand or an object back and forth as a signal: To wave means to move your hand or something you are holding from side to side to greet someone, attract attention, or give a signal.
   • To move freely back and forth or up and down: To wave means to move loosely and smoothly with a swaying or fluttering motion.
   • To form into curves or rolls: To wave means to arrange hair into a series of curls or undulations.
   • To brandish or flourish: To wave can mean to hold something up and move it around, often to show it or to direct others.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The surfer rode a large wave to the shore.
  • Her hair had a natural wave to it.
  • A wave of nostalgia hit her when she smelled the ocean air.
  • He gave a friendly wave from across the street.
  • Sound travels in waves.

• Verb:

  • She waved goodbye as the train left the station.
  • The flag waved proudly in the wind.
  • She decided to wave her hair for the party.
  • The conductor waved his baton to begin the symphony.

Advanced Usage

• "Make waves": To cause trouble or create a significant, often disruptive, impact.

  • The new policy is sure to make waves within the company.

• "Catch the wave": To take advantage of a trend or opportunity at the right moment.

  • The company caught the wave of digital transformation early.

• "A wave of the hand": A dismissive gesture, indicating that something is unimportant or should be ignored.

  • He dismissed the criticism with a wave of the hand.

Variants and Related Words

• Wavy (adj): Having curves or undulations.

  • The road followed the wavy coastline.

• Wavelength (n): The distance between successive crests of a wave, especially in physics; also used figuratively to mean shared understanding.

  • They are on the same wavelength about the project.

• Microwave (n): A type of electromagnetic wave; also a kitchen appliance that uses such waves to heat food. (Listed as a related compound word.)

• Tidal wave (n): An exceptionally large ocean wave, often caused by an earthquake.

Synonyms

• Noun: Surge, swell, ripple, undulation, gesture, curl.
• Verb: Flutter, sway, brandish, flourish, gesture, signal, beckon.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Wave down: To signal for a vehicle to stop by waving your hand.

  • She managed to wave down a taxi.

• Wave aside/away: To dismiss or reject something, often with a hand gesture.

  • He waved aside my concerns and continued with the plan.

• Wave off: To signal for someone to leave or to say goodbye by waving; to dismiss.

  • We waved him off at the airport.

Related Idioms

• The next/big wave: The next important trend or development.

  • Investors are always looking for the next big wave in technology.

• Ride the wave: To successfully handle or benefit from a situation that is developing quickly.

  • The startup is riding the wave of its recent success.

Noun

1. a member of the women's reserve of the United States Navy; originally organized during World War II but now no longer a separate branch
2. a persistent and widespread unusual weather condition (especially of unusual temperatures)
   • a heat wave
3. an undulating curve
4. a hairdo that creates undulations in the hair
5. the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
6. something that rises rapidly
   • a wave of emotion swept over him
   • there was a sudden wave of buying before the market closed
   • a wave of conservatism in the country led by the hard right
7. (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
8. a movement like that of a sudden occurrence or increase in a specified phenomenon
   • a wave of settlers
   • troops advancing in waves
9. one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

Verb

1. set waves in
   • she asked the hairdresser to wave her hair
2. twist or roll into coils or ringlets
   • curl my hair, please
3. move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
   • The curtains undulated
   • the waves rolled towards the beach
4. move or swing back and forth
   • She waved her gun
5. signal with the hands or nod
   • She waved to her friends
   • He waved his hand hospitably