wait
gb/wˈeɪt/ us/wˈeɪt/
A1
English
~ 600
vár, elhalaszt, felszolgál, pincérkedik, várakozás, várakozási idő
VERB
A1
1
vár
A1
Usage pattern:
to wait [for someone/something]
We had to wait for over an hour before the doctor saw us.
Több mint egy órát kellett várnunk, mire az orvos fogadott minket.
Please wait here while I get your order ready.
Kérem, várjon itt, amíg elkészítem a rendelését.
I can't wait any longer; I have to go now.
They waited outside until the store opened.
He waited by the phone for her call.
Learner examples
I wait for the bus every morning.
Minden reggel várok a buszra.
She waits in front of the school.
Az iskola előtt vár.
We wait for our friends at the park.
He waits at the door for his dad.
They wait in line for tickets.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'wait' with 'expect'. 'Wait' means staying until something happens, while 'expect' means thinking something will happen.
Meaning
Stay until something happens
Collocations
wait for the bus
|wait in line
|wait a moment
|wait patiently
|wait your turn
Synonyms
remain (Focuses on staying in a place, without the implication of expecting something.)
|
stay (More general and less tied to expectation; can refer to any continued presence.)
Antonyms
leave (Means to go away instead of staying until something happens.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|social interaction
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stay in one place until something happens or it is the right time.
To remain in place or inactive until something expected happens or until a particular time arrives.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to wait to [do something]
Let's wait to see how the weather turns out before we go hiking.
Várjunk a túrázással, amíg kiderül, hogyan alakul az idő.
You should wait until you have more information before making a decision.
Várj a döntéssel, amíg több információd lesz.
I think I'll wait a few days before calling him back.
Learner examples
I will wait to eat until you come.
Várok az evéssel, amíg megjössz.
He waits to buy the shoes next month.
Jövő hónapig vár a cipő megvásárlásával.
We wait to start the game until everyone is here.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget 'to' after 'wait' when followed by a verb (correct: 'wait to go', not 'wait go').
Meaning
Postpone taking action
Collocations
wait until later
|wait before deciding
|wait a few days
Synonyms
postpone (More formal; often used for planned delays.)
|
delay (Implies causing something to happen later than planned.)
Antonyms
act immediately (Means to do something right away instead of delaying.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do something later instead of now.
To delay or put off doing something until a later time.
VERB
B1
3
felszolgál
B1
pincérkedik
B1
Usage pattern:
to wait on [someone/table]
She has been waiting tables at the diner for five years.
Már öt éve felszolgál abban a kis étteremben.
The waiter is waiting on that large group near the window.
A pincér épp az ablak melletti nagy társaságnak szolgál fel.
He waited on us quickly and politely.
Learner examples
She waits tables in a small café.
Egy kis kávézóban pincérkedik.
He waits on many people every day.
Mindennap sok vendégnek szolgál fel.
They wait on two big tables tonight.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'wait for' with 'wait on' in this context. 'Wait on' means to serve someone, not to expect them.
Meaning
Serve customers in a restaurant
Collocations
wait tables
|wait on customers
|wait on a party
Synonyms
serve (General term for providing food or service; not limited to restaurants.)
Antonyms
dine (Refers to being the customer receiving service, not giving it.)
Themes
food
|work
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
To bring food and drinks to people in a restaurant.
To serve food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or café.
NOUN
A2
4
várakozás
A2
There was a long wait before the show started.
Hosszú várakozás után kezdődött el az előadás.
After a short wait, we were seated at our table.
Rövid várakozás után az asztalunkhoz kísértek minket.
The new game was worth the wait.
Learner examples
We had a long wait for the bus.
Hosszú volt a várakozás a buszra.
There is no wait at the shop today.
Ma nincs várakozási idő a boltban.
The meal was good after a short wait.
Meaning
Period of staying until event
Collocations
long wait
|short wait
|worth the wait
Synonyms
delay (Emphasizes the cause of having to wait, often negative.)
|
pause (Usually shorter and may be intentional.)
Antonyms
immediacy (The quality of happening at once, without waiting.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time you stay in one place until something happens.
A period of time during which one remains in place or inactive until something expected happens or until a particular time arrives.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wait
IPA
GB/wˈeɪt/
US/wˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
wait (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (wait)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: wait
- Plural: wait, waits
Verb
- Base: wait
- 3rd Person Singular: waits
- Present Participle: waiting
- Past: waited
Word family
Expressions
can't wait
1/kˈænt wˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
Eager for something soon
To be very excited about something that will happen soon.
Examples
- I can't wait for summer vacation!
- She can't wait to see her new puppy.
wait and see
1/wˈeɪt ˈænd sˈi/
fixed phrase
Delay decision until later info
To not decide now and see what happens first.
Examples
- Let's wait and see how things go before making changes.
- You'll just have to wait and see what happens next.
wait for it
1/wˈeɪt fɚ ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
Pause before revealing surprise
Used to tell someone to be ready for something surprising or important that will happen soon.
Examples
- And the winner is—wait for it—my dad!
- Wait for it... here comes the best part of the movie.
wait up
1/wˈeɪt ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
Stop or stay awake for someone
To stop so someone can catch up, or stay awake until they arrive.
Examples
- Wait up! You're walking too fast.
- Don't wait up for me; I'll be home late.
wait your turn
1/wˈeɪt jˈʊɹ tˈɚn/
fixed phrase
Be patient for your turn
To stay calm and not act until it is your turn.
Examples
- Please wait your turn like everyone else.
- He learned to wait his turn when playing games with friends.