wait verb

ADV. long Have you been waiting long? | in vain They waited in vain for a response. | quietly, silently | patiently, politely He waited patiently while she got ready. | anxiously, impatiently, nervously, tensely, uneasily Their parents waited anxiously for news. | breathlessly, expectantly, with bated breath I waited with bated breath for what would happen next. | about, around

VERB + WAIT have to, must You'll have to wait until you're older. | can/could hardly, can't/couldn't I can hardly wait for my holiday! I can't wait to see their new baby.

PREP. for I'm waiting for a bus. | till/until We'll have to wait until it stops raining.

PHRASES keep sb waiting I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. | wait a long time She had to wait a long time for the right man to come along. | wait a minute/moment Hey! Wait a minute! I'll come with you! | wait and see We'll wait and see what the weather's like before we make a decision.