Definitions for waits

• Definition
• Anagrams (63)

waits wait

Spelling: [weyt]

IPA: /weɪt/

Waits is a 5 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 7 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 7 points.

You can make 63 anagrams from letters in waits (aistw).

Definitions for waits

noun

1. an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt:
2. a period or interval of waiting:
3. Theater. the time between two acts, scenes, or the like. stage wait.
4. British. waits, (formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc. a street musician, especially a singer. one of a band of carolers. a piece sung by carolers, especially a Christmas carol.
5. Obsolete. a watchman.

Idioms

1. lie in wait, to wait in ambush:
2. wait table. table (def 26).

Verb phrases

1. wait on, to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for. to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store. to call upon or visit (a person, especially a superior): Falconry. (of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to wait for (a person); await. Also, wait upon. to await (an event).
2. wait up, to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival. Informal. to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking:

verb (used with object)

1. to continue as one is in expectation of; await:
2. to postpone or delay in expectation:
3. Archaic. (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await:
4. Archaic. to attend upon or escort, especially as a sign of respect.

verb (used without object)

1. to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until):
2. (of things) to be available or in readiness:
3. to remain neglected for a time:
4. to postpone or delay something or to be postponed or delayed:
5. to look forward to eagerly:

Origin of waits

1150-1200; (v.) early Middle English waiten Anglo-French waitier; Old French guaitier Germanic; cognate with Old High German wahtēn to watch, derivative of wahta a watch (see Examples for waits

His supporters hosted a men-only fundraiser with this admonition on the invitation: “Tell the misses not to wait up.”

We shouldn't be long if it was fine, but if 'twas wet we might have to wait up in places.

Fancy could not remain for the night, because she had engaged a woman to wait up for her.

The boots, it seemed, had been instructed to wait up for him, but she had long gone to bed.

No one was to wait up for her, in case she might be late, she said; she was taking a latch-key as usual.

Tell my mother and aunt that they are on no account to wait up for me, if I am not back.'

He had told Eustace not to wait up for him, and the house was in darkness.

But the little hen only laughed and said, "I must wait up for Mr. Rooster."

Dr. Knox was out with a patient, and Sam had to wait up for him.

He should not wait up, I would let myself in; and I went out.