WAITING Meaning and
Definition
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Waiting is the act or process of staying or remaining in a particular place or condition for a desired outcome or event to occur. It involves the passive state of anticipating or expecting something, typically with a certain level of patience. Waiting often entails abstaining from immediate action or movement, as it entails a belief that the desired outcome will eventually take place.
During the act of waiting, individuals consciously or unconsciously endure a period of time in which they are not engaged in their desired activity or goal. Waiting can occur within various contexts such as personal, professional, or social spheres. It can be experienced for numerous reasons, including for the arrival of someone or something, for the completion of a task, or for a specific moment to transpire.
The experience of waiting is subjective, as it can evoke emotions ranging from patience and hopefulness to impatience and frustration. The duration of waiting can vary considerably, depending on the circumstances and individual perception. Some may find waiting to be a peaceful or reflective period, while others may perceive it as unproductive or anxiety-inducing.
In summary, waiting encompasses the action of staying or remaining in a place or state while expecting a desired outcome or event. It involves the conscious or unconscious endurance of time, often requiring patience and emotional regulation. Waiting is a universal experience that occurs across different domains of life.
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• Denoting one who attends on a person.
• The act of staying in expectation; attendance.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for WAITING *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for WAITING
Etymology of WAITING
The word "waiting" originated from the Old North French word "waitier" meaning "to watch or observe". It was derived from the Frankish word "wahtōn" which meant "to guard or keep watch". This Frankish word has Germanic roots, ultimately stemming from the Proto-Germanic word "wahtwōną".
Idioms with the word WAITING
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an accident waiting to happen
The idiom "an accident waiting to happen" means a situation, action, or behavior that is highly likely to result in an accident or disaster. It suggests that the circumstances are precarious, dangerous, or poorly managed, and it is only a matter of time before something goes wrong. It implies an impending disaster due to negligence, lack of precautions, or a combination of factors that increase the risk of an accident occurring.
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It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes.
The idiom "It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes" means that it is unwise or foolish to wait for someone else to vacate a position or leave a desirable situation, with the hope or expectation of being able to take their place. It implies that one should not rely on the misfortune or demise of others in order to attain something they desire, but instead work toward their goals independently and proactively.
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play a waiting game
The idiom "play a waiting game" means to delay taking action or making a decision in order to see how a situation develops before making a move. It involves being patient and observing the progression of events, in order to gain an advantage or make a more informed decision.
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on the waiting list
The idiom "on the waiting list" refers to being in a position where one has been added to a list of people awaiting their turn or opportunity to receive or participate in something. It indicates that the individual is not immediately granted access or availability but is instead awaiting their turn at a later time.
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play a/the waiting game
The idiom "play a/the waiting game" means to delay taking action or making a decision and instead patiently wait for a situation to develop or change. It often implies a level of uncertainty or anticipation, as one waits for a desired outcome or resolution.
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be waiting in the wings
The idiom "be waiting in the wings" means to be ready and prepared to take immediate action or to be ready for a particular opportunity, often referring to someone who is waiting for their turn or a chance to do something. It originates from the world of theater, where actors waiting to go on stage stand in the wings, the area just offstage.
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waiting in the wings
The idiom "waiting in the wings" typically refers to someone or something that is prepared and ready to take action or assume an important role, but is currently in the background or not in the immediate spotlight. It denotes being in a state of readiness or anticipation for an opportunity or moment to come forward or be noticed. It often implies being in a supporting position or position of backup, awaiting a chance to step into a more prominent role.
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in waiting
The idiom "in waiting" refers to someone or something that is ready and prepared for a particular event or circumstance. It usually implies that the person or thing is patiently anticipating or expecting the said event to happen.
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an accident/a disaster waiting to happen
The idiom "an accident/a disaster waiting to happen" refers to a condition, situation, or action that is very likely to result in negative consequences or a catastrophe. It implies that the circumstances are precarious and potentially dangerous, with the potential for something harmful or disastrous to occur at any moment.
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a waiting game
The idiomatic phrase "a waiting game" refers to a situation where someone has to patiently wait for a desired outcome or resolution, often involving uncertainty or delays. It implies that patience and endurance are necessary while the person waits for a specific event, decision, or action to occur. It often involves a sense of anticipation or suspense, as the person has little control over the timing or outcome of the situation and must simply wait until circumstances align in their favor.
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play the waiting game
The idiom "play the waiting game" means to stay patient, endure delays or uncertainty, and not take immediate action while waiting for a desired outcome or resolution. It involves exercising restraint, remaining passive, and tolerating the passage of time in the hope that things will eventually fall into place or a favorable situation will arise.
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waiting game
The idiom "waiting game" refers to a situation where someone patiently waits or delays taking action in order to achieve a desired outcome, typically when there is uncertainty or a lack of control over the situation. It implies being patient and enduring the passage of time, often with a strategic purpose or to gain an advantage.
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What is (one) waiting for?
The idiom "What is (one) waiting for?" is used to question why someone is hesitating or delaying action when there is an opportunity or a need for immediate action. It conveys a sense of urgency and encourages the person to make a decision or take advantage of the situation without further delay.
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keep (one) waiting
The idiom "keep (one) waiting" means to make someone wait for an extended period of time, often causing frustration, inconvenience, or impatience.
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keep somebody waiting
The idiom "keep somebody waiting" means to make someone wait for a longer period of time than expected or necessary, often causing frustration, impatience, or inconvenience for the person waiting.
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be waiting for the other shoe to drop
The idiom "be waiting for the other shoe to drop" means being in a state of anticipation or fear that something unpleasant or negative is about to happen, especially when there have already been indications or circumstances leading up to it. It implies a sense of anxious anticipation for the completion of a predictable or expected sequence of events, often with negative consequences.
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I felt like a penny waiting for change
The idiom "I felt like a penny waiting for change" typically means feeling restless, anxious, or uncertain about what will happen next. It evokes the sense of being in a state of anticipation or waiting for something significant to occur, similar to how a penny might patiently wait for someone to pick it up or use it for a transaction.
Similar spelling words for WAITING
Conjugate verb Waiting
CONDITIONAL
I
would wait
we
would wait
you
would wait
he/she/it
would wait
they
would wait
FUTURE
I
will wait
we
will wait
you
will wait
he/she/it
will wait
they
will wait
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have waited
we
will have waited
you
will have waited
he/she/it
will have waited
they
will have waited
PAST
I
waited
we
waited
you
waited
he/she/it
waited
they
waited
PAST PERFECT
I
had waited
we
had waited
you
had waited
he/she/it
had waited
they
had waited
PRESENT
I
wait
we
wait
you
wait
he/she/it
waits
they
wait
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have waited
we
have waited
you
have waited
he/she/it
has waited
they
have waited
I
am waiting
we
are waiting
you
are waiting
he/she/it
is waiting
they
are waiting
I
was waiting
we
were waiting
you
were waiting
he/she/it
was waiting
they
were waiting
I
will be waiting
we
will be waiting
you
will be waiting
he/she/it
will be waiting
they
will be waiting
I
have been waiting
we
have been waiting
you
have been waiting
he/she/it
has been waiting
they
have been waiting
I
had been waiting
we
had been waiting
you
had been waiting
he/she/it
had been waiting
they
had been waiting
I
will have been waiting
we
will have been waiting
you
will have been waiting
he/she/it
will have been waiting
they
will have been waiting
I
would have waited
we
would have waited
you
would have waited
he/she/it
would have waited
they
would have waited
I
would be waiting
we
would be waiting
you
would be waiting
he/she/it
would be waiting
they
would be waiting
I
would have been waiting
we
would have been waiting
you
would have been waiting
he/she/it
would have been waiting
they
would have been waiting
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