WAITING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does waiting mean? 

• WAITING (noun)
  The noun WAITING has 1 sense:

1. the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

  Familiarity information: WAITING used as a noun is very rare.

• WAITING (adjective)
  The adjective WAITING has 1 sense:

1. being and remaining ready and available for use

  Familiarity information: WAITING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WAITING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

wait; waiting

Context example:

the wait was an ordeal for him

Hypernyms ("waiting" is a kind of...):

inactivity (being inactive; being less active)

Derivation:

wait (stay in one place and anticipate or expect something)

• WAITING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being and remaining ready and available for use

Synonyms:

ready and waiting; waiting

Context example:

military forces ready and waiting

Similar:

ready (completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress)

 Context examples 

When I came in, he said at once, as though the question had been waiting on his lips:—"What about souls?"

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“What are you waiting for?” Wolf Larsen demanded.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

In the road stood our horse and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Oh, really, Master Copperfield,—I mean Mister Copperfield, said Uriah, to see you waiting upon me is what I never could have expected!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I had two completed letters already waiting.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Come and show yourself," said Miss Belle, leading the way to the room where the others were waiting.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The only wonder was, what they could be waiting for, till the business at Lyme came; then, indeed, it was clear enough that they must wait till her brain was set to right.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Without waiting to hear more, I left the kitchen.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He had been waiting for this.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

While waiting for help to arrive, you may be able to save someone's life.

(First Aid, NIH)