await
gb/əwˈeɪt/ us/əwˈeɪt/
B2
English
~ 5800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
B2
action
1
wait for something to happen
To wait for something or someone that you know will come or happen.
Usage pattern:
to await [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"await for"* (e.g., *"I await for your reply"*). This is incorrect because "await" is already a transitive verb and does not take "for". Say *"I await your reply"* or *"I am waiting for your reply"*. Another common mistake is using "await" in very casual conversation where "wait for" is more natural.
Synonyms
wait for ("Wait for" is more common and less formal; "await" is mainly used in writing or polite speech.)
|
expect (Focuses more on believing something will happen, while "await" focuses on the period of waiting.)
Antonyms
ignore (If you ignore something, you do not pay attention or wait for it, which is the opposite of actively awaiting it.)
Collocations
await a decision
|await your reply
|await confirmation
|await results
|await approval
|anxiously await
Themes
daily life
|time
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We eagerly await the final decision from the committee.
- I look forward to hearing from you and await your reply.
- Hundreds of fans were gathered outside, awaiting the band’s arrival.
- The company still awaits confirmation from the government.
- She sat by the phone, silently awaiting his call.
Learner examples
- I await your reply to my email.
- Many students await their exam results.
- We await the bus in front of the school.
- The town awaits news about the missing child.
- They await confirmation before they book the flight.
unknown
B2
state
2
be in store for someone
To be something that will happen to a person or thing in the future.
Usage pattern:
[something] awaits [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the simple "wait for" sense and try to say *"a hard time waits for you"* in contexts where native speakers prefer *"a hard time awaits you"* or *"a hard time is waiting for you"*. With this sense, "await" often makes the sentence shorter and more natural.
Synonyms
lie ahead (Often used for general future situations; "await" can sound a bit more formal or dramatic.)
|
be in store for (Very similar meaning, but more idiomatic and slightly more informal than "await".)
Antonyms
be behind (If something is behind you, it has already happened, contrasting with something that still awaits you in the future.)
Collocations
awaits us
|awaits them
|a difficult task awaits
|uncertain future awaits
|what awaits
|fate awaits
Themes
future
|life
|risk
|core_vocabulary
|time
Examples
- No one knows what challenges await us in the coming years.
- A long and difficult journey awaits them.
- If he is found guilty, a long prison sentence awaits him.
- Great opportunities await students who are willing to work hard.
- They walked into the dark tunnel, unsure of what awaited them inside.
Learner examples
- We do not know what awaits us tomorrow.
- A big surprise awaits you at home.
- Many problems await the new manager.
- If you continue like this, trouble awaits you.
- A better life awaits them in the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
await
IPA
GB/əwˈeɪt/
US/əwˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
await (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: await
- 3rd Person Singular: awaits
- Present Participle: awaiting
- Past: awaited
Word family
Expressions
await further instructions
1/əwˈeɪt fˈɚðɚ ɪnstɹˈʌkʃənz/
fixed phrase
wait for more instructions
To wait and do nothing new until someone gives you more information or orders about what to do.
Examples
- The team will remain on standby and await further instructions.
- Residents were told to stay indoors and await further instructions from the authorities.
await your reply
1/əwˈeɪt jˈʊɹ ɹɪplˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
wait for a written answer
To politely say you are waiting for someone to answer your letter or email.
Examples
- Thank you for your time, and I eagerly await your reply.
- I await your reply so that we can confirm the booking.
await your response
1/əwˈeɪt jˈʊɹ ɹɪspˈɑns/
fixed phrase
formal
wait for someone's response
To say in a polite or business message that you are waiting for the other person to answer.
Examples
- We look forward to hearing from you and await your response.
- I await your response regarding the proposed changes.