DictionaryAI

await

uh-WAYT/əˈweɪt/

Formsawaits, awaiting, awaited

8 meanings of await

Practice

  1. 1
    verbformaltransitive
    To wait for someone or something to come or happen.

    Like sitting by the phone, waiting for an important call.

    We await your answer before we book the trip.

    The fans await the final score.

    Similaranticipate, expect

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To be coming to someone in the future.

    Like a gift wrapped and ready for you to open.

    A big surprise awaits you at home.

    New challenges await the team next season.

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To think that something will happen and wait for it.

    Like watching dark clouds, sure that rain will come.

    I await your call later today.

    They await better weather for the climb.

    Similarexpect, anticipate, foresee

  4. 4
    verbintransitive
    To wait, staying where you are until something happens.

    Like standing in line, staying put until it's your turn.

    Please await outside until we call you.

    The visitors awaited quietly in the lobby.

    Similarwait, remain, stay

  5. 5
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To serve someone or take care of their needs.

    Waiters await the guests at the head table, filling their glasses all evening.

    Two helpers awaited at the party, bringing out food and clearing away plates.

    Similarattend, serve

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verbobsoleteintransitive
    To watch and look carefully at what is happening.
    Note
  2. 7
    nounobsolete
    A time of waiting to catch someone by surprise.
    Note
  3. 8
    nounobsolete
    Watching someone or something, sometimes because you do not trust them.
    Also, madame, syte you well that there be many men spekith of oure love in this courte, and have you and me gretely in awayte, as thes Sir Aggravayne and Sir Mordred.
    1470, Thomas Malory, Le Morte DarthurHere, awayte means watching someone closely because people do not trust them.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of await apart? Answer 2 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English awaiten, from Old Northern French awaitier meaning "to lie in wait for, watch," often with a hostile sense.