How to pronounce await
Say it like uh-WAYT. Await has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (WAYT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce await. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- WAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Await pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- WAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of await
American and British speakers say await in essentially the same way: /əˈweɪt/ in the US and /əˈweɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-WAYT.
What does await mean?
- look forward to the probable occurrence of“We were expecting a visit from our relatives”“She is looking to a promotion”
Where does await come from?
From Middle English awaiten, from Old Northern French awaitier (“to lie in wait for, watch, observe”), originally especially with a hostile sense; itself from a- (“to”) + waitier (“to watch”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with await
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of await.
Questions about saying await
How do you pronounce await?
Say uh-WAYT. The American pronunciation is /əˈweɪt/. In British English it is /əˈweɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in await?
Await has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (WAYT). Broken into parts: uh · WAYT.
Do Americans and Brits say await the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈweɪt/ and the British form is /əˈweɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.