How to pronounce wait
Say it like WAYT. Wait is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- WAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wait pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of wait
American and British speakers say wait in essentially the same way: /weɪt/ in the US and /weɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: WAYT.
What does wait mean?
- To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.“Wait here until your car arrives.”
- To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.“She used to wait in this joint.”
- To remain faithful to one’s partner or betrothed during a prolonged period of absence.
- A delay.“I had a very long wait at the airport security check.”
- An ambush.“They lay in wait for the patrol.”
- Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen.
- Tells the other speaker to stop talking, typing etc. for a moment, often to allow clarification.“- And so I went upstairs, - Wait. Your house has two floors?”
Where does wait come from?
Largely overtook native Middle English biden, from Old English bīdan, source of bide.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with wait
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wait.
Words that sound like wait
Questions about saying wait
How do you pronounce wait?
Say WAYT. The American pronunciation is /weɪt/. In British English it is /weɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wait?
Wait is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: WAYT.
Do Americans and Brits say wait the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /weɪt/ and the British form is /weɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as wait?
Wait sounds the same as Waite, weight in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.