The spelling of the word "waift" can be confusing due to its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /weɪft/. It is important to note that the "ai" is pronounced as a long "a" sound as in "wait". The "f" is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative. This word refers to a thin and frail person, often used in literature to describe a character's appearance. Ensuring proper spelling and pronunciation can be helpful in effective communication.