| 释义 |
Definition of wait in English: waitverb weɪtweɪt [no object]1Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event. 等候，等待 he did not wait for a reply 他没有等待答复。 we're waiting for Allan to get back Vera did not wait on a Home Office ruling 维拉并没有等候内政部的裁决。 with infinitive Ben stood on the street corner waiting to cross 本在街道拐角处等着过马路。 with object I had to wait my turn to play 我得等候轮到我玩。 Example sentencesExamples - I don't want to do big studio films, sitting around all day on location in your trailer waiting to be called.
- Because of that some companies who were about to sign deals decided to wait before making a final decision.
- And I didn't want to be a woman that stayed at home to wait for my husband to come home every night.
- Under the scorching sun, tens of thousands of people waited patiently to hear the speeches.
- Maybe your parents are right about waiting a few more years until you decide.
- On the rare occasion a car approaches the bridge when we are crossing, the drivers usually stop and wait for us to cross.
- They sat in the large leather armchairs to wait the arrival of the man on whom so much depended.
- However, I am wondering what harm could it have done to wait another week until we got it right?
- There were 3 people behind the bar, one serving and yet we waited 20 minutes.
- He pointed out that students, teachers and parents had waited a long time for this building to become a reality.
- Most of the time they have to stand and wait because it remains true that governments lose elections rather than oppositions winning them.
- Meanwhile Luque attempts an audacious strike from wide on the left rather than passing to several waiting team-mates.
- I peeked through the window behind my back and saw a young woman waiting in the car.
- So I waited a few days until temptation got the better of me and I rang the number.
- To get the longest term go for a card deal that waits until the money hits your new account.
- More than 3,000 Australian workers and their families are waiting on today's announcement about the car maker's future.
- Hundreds of couples wait in a line circling the block of San Francisco's City Hall.
- But you don't need to wait for these events to happen before taking action.
- On the way back Mr Harrington meets another islander as he waits for the cable car to take him to the mainland.
- We have got another three people waiting to be dealt with by the courts.
Synonyms stand by, hold back, be patient, bide one's time, hang fire, mark time, kill time, waste time, cool one's heels, kick one's heels, twiddle one's thumbs pause, stop, cease, halt, discontinue, rest informal hold on, hang around, sit tight, hold one's horses, sweat it out British informal hang about await, look/watch out anticipate, expect, be ready, be in readiness long for, hope for, count the days until - 1.1wait for" or "on Stay where one is or delay action until (someone) arrives or is ready.
等候，等待 he sits on the corner waiting for Mary she was waiting on her boyfriend - 1.2 Be left until a later time before being dealt with.
等候 we shall need a statement later, but that will have to wait 我们以后将需要一个声明，但那得等一等。 Example sentencesExamples - Subtitled ‘another side of Cirque du Soleil,’ this one'll have to wait till the kids are in bed.
- Anyhoo, I've run out of energy, and so any investigation of what on Earth the Council of Ministers is, will have to wait till some other time.
- Signing Dillon to a long-term deal is a priority, but it will wait until the off season.
- Postpone those decisions that can wait until you feel more able to deal with them.
Synonyms be postponed, be delayed, be put off, be held back, be deferred informal be put on the back burner, be put on ice - 1.3informal with object Defer (a meal) until a person's arrival.
〈非正式〉（为等某人）推迟（进餐） I told my parents not to wait supper Example sentencesExamples - He'd kept everything warm in the oven for her and Ashton agreed to wait dinner on her as he wasn't hungry.
Synonyms delay, postpone, put off, hold off, hold back, defer - 1.4 Remain in readiness for a purpose.
等着 he found the train waiting on the platform 他发现索道车厢正在平台上等着。 Example sentencesExamples - The funicular cars waited at an impossible angle on the sloping track.
- Drivers were being questioned, then told to pull off the road, to where a line of army vehicles waited.
- My guards' breath were puffs of crystal in the moonlight as they escorted me across the shipyard compound to where the wagon waited.
- The driver pointed a white-gloved hand in the direction of a small ferry boat waiting at the pier, its engine idling.
- The whole incident was caught on CCTV cameras on a bus waiting nearby at Hounslow bus garage.
- One announcement said passengers should use an alternative bus service - but at one stage no bus was waiting.
- The king's carriage waited just off the bridge, escorted by two mounted men at arms, one on either side.
- Around the corner, in a narrow, cobbled lane that runs alongside the synagogue, an old Iveco tanker truck is waiting.
- It isn't too far from here, and he'll probably have some food waiting when we get there.
- The majority of the future NFL players were loaded into four coach buses waiting in the lot.
- At the road end our bus was waiting to take us back to Te Anau and the end of a memorable experience.
- With a last look over his shoulder, he started pulling her towards the back of the ship where the raft waited.
- The Alyeraen ships, especially the royal vessels never waited at the main docks.
- There was a taxi waiting where the aircraft came to a halt so that they could avoid the muddy dirt of the airfield.
Synonyms stay, remain, rest, linger, loiter, dally, stop, stay put informal stick around, kick around/about archaic bide, tarry - 1.5 (of a vehicle) be parked for a short time at the side of a road.
（车辆）在路边临时停车 Example sentencesExamples - The firm must stop vehicles waiting at the junction of Hill Top Lane and Chorley Old Road by putting yellow lines down.
- Motorists can wait for free until arriving passengers call to say they are ready to be picked up.
- The council will also take control of the loading and waiting restrictions in place within the district.
- The landscaping scheme will link in with a new footpath and cycleway at the back of the Fox and a new bus waiting area on Holgate Road.
- The parents who think Deangate is a private car park, for example, despite the double yellow lines and no waiting notices.
2cannot waitUsed to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen. 迫不及待 I can't wait to tell Nick what happened Example sentencesExamples - With potatoes, carrots and peas and a tasty seasoned gravy, I couldn't wait to tuck in.
- I just can't wait for Southern Cross Station to be completed and all the trains to go back to normal.
- Jason says: am going stir crazy… can't wait for Zoe to come pick up and take me to Ashford!
- I can't wait till Christmas morning and we can set it up together.
- Some people here couldn't wait to get rid of him, but look at what he has achieved.
- Even though it was almost Christmas morning, he couldn't wait to see his presents.
- She went back to Ridgeway School earlier in September and couldn't wait to catch up with her friends.
- Everyone else in the room looked like they were at a funeral from which they couldn't wait to escape.
- It used to be that you couldn't wait to turn 18 so you could go to the Republik.
- He admits he dreaded weekends and couldn't wait to get back to work.
- Like nearly everyone who comes to Cape Town, we couldn't wait to head straight up Table Mountain.
- It hadn't occurred to me that people taking an acting class would find this scary, when I couldn't wait to get started.
- One minute I would be terribly home sick and the next I couldn't wait to get into central London.
- If you can't wait till then check out their new Video/DVD on the EMI label, it's in the shops now.
- It was my first present from him and I felt so gorgeous in it that I couldn't wait to show it off.
- And even though the event is eleven months away, I'm sure that like me, you just can't wait!
- I made many good friends at work and had always enjoyed my time there, but by the time it was over I couldn't wait to see the back of the place.
- I spent all those years in school and couldn't wait to leave and here I am, 25 years later, going back.
- My head was full of ideas for my new design all day and I couldn't wait to get home and try them out.
- By the time I reached home every item of clothing I was wearing was nasty and I couldn't wait to strip off.
3Act as a waiter or waitress, serving food and drink. 侍候进餐，当侍者 a local man was employed to wait on them at table 聘用了一个本地人来侍候他们进餐。 with object we had to wait tables in the mess hall 我们得在集体食堂当侍者。 Example sentencesExamples - I felt like a fraud, sitting in a pleasant room, served three delicious meals a day and being waited on by quietly efficient and obviously busy staff who even spoke a little English.
- Seneca ridiculed a wealthy man because he kept a handsome slave who was dressed like a woman when he waited at table.
- The only member of that group who will wait on tables next Sunday is Sean Carroll who has served at all of the 45 parties.
- No free training and advice, no house, clothes and media spotlight, just singing, acting, shooting or writing between waiting on tables and scrubbing floors.
- In 1938, a young Tennessee Williams earned his keep waiting on tables in nearby Toulouse Street.
- The arts for most is a sacrifice and in New Zealand many of your favorite local artists may well have served you a drink, or waited on your table - when anywhere else in the world they may well be living the high life.
- The role involves mainly waiting tables, but occasionally also working behind the bar.
- If the truth be known, waiting tables was my only income.
- The greatest of celebrity musicians will do fine under any system, while those who are currently waiting on tables or driving a cab to support themselves have nothing to lose.
- He was one of the footmen who waited at table.
- The fortnight was officially launched on Tuesday, with visitors to the city's Market Square being waited on and served fine food and drink.
- He then worked as an electronic appliance technician before switching to blue-collar jobs such as waiting on restaurant tables and selling audio equipment.
- Some 12 or so young people from the Fagley Youth Club waited on table, served our food and generally looked after us to make it a wonderful party.
- Testino arrived from Lima, in Peru, almost thirty years ago, with nothing to his name and ended up waiting tables to pay his way.
Synonyms act as waiter, act as waitress, distribute food, distribute refreshments
noun weɪtweɪt 1in singular A period of waiting. 等待，等候；等待的时间 我们等了好长时间。 Example sentencesExamples - The wait seemed interminable, and slowly she nodded off to sleep.
- Customer wait time has been reduced by more than 3.4 days.
- But for Fred Storr, on the waiting list since November, the wait was too long.
- Desperate motorists say they face an hour wait when trying to leave the car park at the end of the day.
- Show up early, because no matter what time you go, there will be an interminable wait.
- Meanwhile, local families with loved ones on holiday in southern Asia face an anxious wait for news.
- The announcement ends a long wait for a permanent successor to Dean Robinson, who left the club in March.
- Unfortunately, a train has just left the station, and it will be quite a wait for the next one.
- Rowena knew what this involved: a wait of several hours in a small and sometimes crowded waiting room.
- Now she has been told that her operation has been postponed for two months in addition to the usual wait of three to four months.
- So the big question is, has the wait been worth it?
- Her family faced an agonising wait to see the extent of her injuries.
- Patients experience shorter wait times because they can plan ahead for a specific date and approximate procedure time.
- With only two lifts operational at any one time and 12 floors to service the wait intervals drove many to the stairs.
- When clients come to me I see them once or twice to see if I'm the right architect, and then there's the wait period.
- As for getting swift action, our 30-year wait speaks for itself.
- Meanwhile passengers have faced waits of up to 6 hours between check-in and departure.
- Also today, news comes that British holidaymakers heading for the United States face a five-hour wait to check in.
- Travellers to North America face a further wait as US airspace remained closed this evening.
- Rather than making a mad dash and then facing an indefinite wait at the station, check Tubetrack for your next train.
Synonyms delay, hold-up, period of waiting, interval, interlude, intermission, pause, break, stay, cessation, suspension, detention, check, stoppage, halt, interruption, lull, respite, recess, postponement, discontinuation, moratorium, hiatus, gap, lapse, rest, entr'acte 2waitsarchaic Street singers of Christmas carols. 〈英，古〉沿街唱圣诞节颂歌的歌手 Example sentencesExamples - Originally they were mummers, performing traditional plays, and they then became known as waits, who would tour the town every evening before Christmas.
- 2.1historical Official bands of musicians maintained by a city or town.
〈史〉（城镇）官方乐队 Example sentencesExamples - He wrote music for the London theatres in the early part of the 17th century, and in 1622 joined the waits of the City of London.
PhrasesWatching for an enemy or potential victim and preparing to attack them. 伺机（攻击敌人或潜在的牺牲品） he decided to lie in wait for the thief 他决定埋伏等那个小偷。 Example sentencesExamples - There's no word as to when his trial will take place, although a specially built courtroom is sitting in wait at Guantanamo Bay.
- A gang of thugs who lay in wait before attacking a man with a baseball bat and an iron bar could strike again, say detectives.
- The viciousness of the invective makes it seem like they must have had their knives sharpened for a long time, laying in wait for your next book.
- Lying in wait at so many of these turning points in Henman's career has been Canas.
- Gang members had followed them to the hospital and were lying in wait.
- Occasions that cried out for a drop-goal attempt, especially with Eric Elwood and McHugh in wait, were passed up, as Connacht went for broke.
- But their plan was foiled by detectives who were sitting in wait near the Swissport cargo warehouse on May 17 last year.
- They lay in wait for him on the York ring road, then rammed his car and attacked him with a monkey wrench.
- I don't know what plans he had but he was probably hiding in wait for the lights in the house to go out so that he could break in.
- Trouble arose after the final whistle when a gang of 200 to 300 Leeds supporters gathered outside in wait for Cardiff fans leaving the Elland Road stadium.
Wait to find out what will happen before doing something. 等着瞧 we will have to wait and see what happens Example sentencesExamples - We don't jump to any conclusions; we just wait and see what we have to deal with - and then deal with it.
- As to whether we have a capacity to go any further in future Budgets, you'll have to wait and see.
- They arrived at the hospital just after 4am and it was then wait and see for a number of hours.
- Whether this will ever filter down to street-level, though, we'll have to wait and see.
- I will have to wait and see how the weather goes during the morning as they say this part of the country is set to be hit by snow again today.
- I haven't been able to find much information on the actual risks to adults, so we'll have to wait and see.
- So we will have to wait and see what happens on Friday afternoon I guess.
- Well, we have to wait and see in this case if the defense is going to put in for bail.
- Hopefully it won't be too bad to seriously affect my overall grade, I'll have to wait and see.
- However, Sligo must wait and see what the new team for the constituency will deliver.
informal Do not act before the proper moment. 〈英，非正式〉等待时机 巡逻——等待时机——停！ Example sentencesExamples - Scotland's best golfer is no fan of links golf and played very little of it as a youngster brought up in, wait for it, Leeds.
- Instead, he will sit tight on his list seat in Holyrood until he can have a crack at - wait for it - Westminster.
- Oh, and turn up your speakers for - wait for it - the building site sound effects.
- We are promised not more grand policy but - wait for it - an Action Plan.
- Currently, the best Earth-bound instrument is called, wait for it, the Very Large Telescope.
- It spends great amounts of time and effort on - wait for it - fox hunting.
- The lot causing most stir among Clemente collectors is, wait for it, debris from his smashed-up plane.
- In Britain the people who take their own life more than anyone else are… wait for it… vets.
- Thankfully, that gap has now been closed by the arrival this year of the Festival of, wait for it, Politics.
- The Scottish Executive's radical new tool to crank up standards is - wait for it - headteachers.
Used to convey a threat or promise. （表示威胁，警告或许诺）等着瞧；等着吧 you wait until your Dad gets in! 等着，你爸来了再说！ Example sentencesExamples - Oh that reminds me I also have to brush up on my French, because I'm gonna be fluent by the end of summer, just you wait.
Phrasal Verbs1Act as an attendant to. 服侍，招待 a maid was appointed to wait on her 指派了一个女仆来服侍她。 Example sentencesExamples - The coachman obediently waited on me and put out a hand to assist me.
- Palmerin is taken to Constantinople and appointed to wait on his cousin Polinarda, with whom he falls in love; while Floriano is taken to London and appointed to wait on Flerida.
- Where once convicts were forced to hop around the exercise yard in the blazing sun, they now sunbathe in deckchairs, waited on by the guards.
- I had to help with the preparations, taking time out from the demanding task of waiting on His Grace to assist with everything from cooking to candle making.
Synonyms serve, attend to, tend, cater for, cater to, act as a waiter to, act as a waitress to - 1.1archaic Pay a respectful visit to.
〈古〉拜访；拜谒，拜见 a deputation had waited upon Lords Salisbury, Redesdale, and Roxburghe Example sentencesExamples - The latter is very unpopular, & a deputation of ministers waited upon C, asking that he should be removed as he was not playing the game.
- It states that any deputation waiting on a Minister or member after a demonstration is limited to six.
2Await the convenience of. 等候…的时机，等待 to see the full series, we will have to wait on the BBC 为了把电视系列节目完整看完，我们得耐心等候BBC的节目。 Example sentencesExamples - They were waiting on the Department to roll out the breast check screening service in the South East.
- As the nation waits on Florida, Bruce Morton takes a look back at past presidential transitions that have not always been clear-cut.
- He said there was need for the leadership to give people direction by providing information in the public domain which would make people begin to take the lead in issues of economic management rather than wait on government.
- The rest of the group sat and waited on her patiently.
- I'm waiting on our tech people to pull the pics off the digital camera…
- Cancer patients recovering in hospital will no longer have to wait on the postman for their get well soon cards.
- Productivity grew about half its previous rate during this period - no politicians fault; it waits on maturing technologies.
- The problem is that we're waiting on the justice system.
- ‘We're waiting on an expert witness who is unavailable until that day,’ Hettel said.
- 2.1Australian Northern English NZ informal Refrain from doing something until something else happens.
wait on, I've an important message for you 等着，我有重要消息告诉你。 Example sentencesExamples - We'll wait on the beets until the next crop comes in with fresh tops.
- But I'll wait on a Voyager movie until they show it on a Friday night on UPN.
- Well, let's wait on dinner a bit until we all calm down.
- Also, sex is something that one should wait on until you are ready.
- She had decided to wait on telling Fredi until the perfect moment, so she had to pretend as if nothing were wrong.
1Not go to bed until someone arrives or something happens. 等着（某人到来或某事发生而）不睡觉，熬夜等待 I'll be back late. Don't wait up for me Example sentencesExamples - Manager Don Givens waited up until 4am for the player to return to HQ, at which point he gave up and went to bed.
- Some people fervently expected the end of the world a year ago and waited up late for a ‘rapture’ that never arrived.
- Even though it was after midnight, her parents were still waiting up to hear the results.
- And he always waits up for me, just to know that I got home safely.
- He was surprised to find his father waiting up for him when he arrived home close to midnight.
- Thousands of Swindon youngsters will be eagerly waiting up for Santa to drop down the chimney tonight.
- Instead of watching Rage, the Simpsons and Neighbours, I find myself waiting up for the end of Law and Order then crashing as soon as it finishes.
- Thank the Lord, you no longer feel compelled to wait up until midnight on New Year's Eve.
- His father always waited up until his son returned from meetings late in the evening.
- If you're waiting up all night for a husband who comes home after the kids are in bed, you might feel you're missing out.
Synonyms stay awake, stay up, keep vigil 2Go more slowly or stop until someone catches up. 〈北美〉（为使别人赶上而）缓慢地走（或停下来等） the kids bound out of sight, and I shout ‘Wait up!’ Example sentencesExamples - Katrina stared open-mouthed and then after a moment of hesitation, she followed Ashley, shouting for her to wait up.
- I sassed when he caught up with me as I didn't wait up for him like he asked me too.
- ‘Hey Lizzy, wait up,’ Josh shouted as he grabbed his luggage and started to run to catch up with her.
- He dropped the keys into his pocket, thinking of what was just ahead of them, starting on the sidewalk without any intention of waiting up for Brooke to get out of the car.
- We rode towards Baker Lake, but before reaching the lake stopped to wait up for Michael and Cathy.
OriginMiddle English: from Old Northern French waitier, of Germanic origin; related to wake1. Early senses included 'lie in wait (for'), 'observe carefully', and 'be watchful'. Rhymesabate, ablate, aerate, ait, await, backdate, bait, bate, berate, castrate, collate, conflate, crate, create, cremate, date, deflate, dictate, dilate, distraite, donate, downstate, eight, elate, equate, estate, fate, fête, fixate, freight, frustrate, gait, gate, gestate, gradate, grate, great, gyrate, hate, hydrate, inflate, innate, interrelate, interstate, irate, Kate, Kuwait, lactate, late, locate, lustrate, mandate, mate, migrate, misdate, misstate, mistranslate, mutate, narrate, negate, notate, orate, ornate, Pate, placate, plate, prate, prorate, prostrate, pulsate, pupate, quadrate, rate, rotate, sate, sedate, serrate, short weight, skate, slate, spate, spectate, spruit, stagnate, state, straight, strait, Tate, tête-à-tête, Thwaite, translate, translocate, transmigrate, truncate, underrate, understate, underweight, update, uprate, upstate, up-to-date, vacate, vibrate, weight Definition of wait in US English: waitverbweɪtwāt [no object]1Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens. 等候，等待 he did not wait for a reply 他没有等待答复。 we're waiting for Allan to get back with infinitive Ben stood on the street corner waiting to cross 本在街道拐角处等着过马路。 with object I had to wait my turn to play 我得等候轮到我玩。 they will wait on a Supreme Court ruling Example sentencesExamples - We have got another three people waiting to be dealt with by the courts.
- There were 3 people behind the bar, one serving and yet we waited 20 minutes.
- They sat in the large leather armchairs to wait the arrival of the man on whom so much depended.
- And I didn't want to be a woman that stayed at home to wait for my husband to come home every night.
- To get the longest term go for a card deal that waits until the money hits your new account.
- On the way back Mr Harrington meets another islander as he waits for the cable car to take him to the mainland.
- He pointed out that students, teachers and parents had waited a long time for this building to become a reality.
- But you don't need to wait for these events to happen before taking action.
- Under the scorching sun, tens of thousands of people waited patiently to hear the speeches.
- So I waited a few days until temptation got the better of me and I rang the number.
- Maybe your parents are right about waiting a few more years until you decide.
- On the rare occasion a car approaches the bridge when we are crossing, the drivers usually stop and wait for us to cross.
- Meanwhile Luque attempts an audacious strike from wide on the left rather than passing to several waiting team-mates.
- I peeked through the window behind my back and saw a young woman waiting in the car.
- Most of the time they have to stand and wait because it remains true that governments lose elections rather than oppositions winning them.
- Because of that some companies who were about to sign deals decided to wait before making a final decision.
- More than 3,000 Australian workers and their families are waiting on today's announcement about the car maker's future.
- Hundreds of couples wait in a line circling the block of San Francisco's City Hall.
- I don't want to do big studio films, sitting around all day on location in your trailer waiting to be called.
- However, I am wondering what harm could it have done to wait another week until we got it right?
Synonyms stand by, hold back, be patient, bide one's time, hang fire, mark time, kill time, waste time, cool one's heels, kick one's heels, twiddle one's thumbs await, look out, watch out - 1.1wait for" or "on Stay where one is or delay action until (someone) arrives or is ready.
等候，等待 he sits on the corner waiting for Mary she was waiting on her boyfriend - 1.2 Be left until a later time before being dealt with.
等候 we shall need a statement later, but that will have to wait 我们以后将需要一个声明，但那得等一等。 Example sentencesExamples - Postpone those decisions that can wait until you feel more able to deal with them.
- Subtitled ‘another side of Cirque du Soleil,’ this one'll have to wait till the kids are in bed.
- Signing Dillon to a long-term deal is a priority, but it will wait until the off season.
- Anyhoo, I've run out of energy, and so any investigation of what on Earth the Council of Ministers is, will have to wait till some other time.
Synonyms be postponed, be delayed, be put off, be held back, be deferred - 1.3informal with object Defer (a meal) until a person's arrival.
〈非正式〉（为等某人）推迟（进餐） he will wait supper for me 他将等我吃晚饭。 Example sentencesExamples - He'd kept everything warm in the oven for her and Ashton agreed to wait dinner on her as he wasn't hungry.
Synonyms delay, postpone, put off, hold off, hold back, defer - 1.4 Remain in readiness for some purpose.
等着 he found the train waiting at the platform 他发现索道车厢正在平台上等着。 Example sentencesExamples - The Alyeraen ships, especially the royal vessels never waited at the main docks.
- Around the corner, in a narrow, cobbled lane that runs alongside the synagogue, an old Iveco tanker truck is waiting.
- There was a taxi waiting where the aircraft came to a halt so that they could avoid the muddy dirt of the airfield.
- The funicular cars waited at an impossible angle on the sloping track.
- My guards' breath were puffs of crystal in the moonlight as they escorted me across the shipyard compound to where the wagon waited.
- At the road end our bus was waiting to take us back to Te Anau and the end of a memorable experience.
- The majority of the future NFL players were loaded into four coach buses waiting in the lot.
- The driver pointed a white-gloved hand in the direction of a small ferry boat waiting at the pier, its engine idling.
- It isn't too far from here, and he'll probably have some food waiting when we get there.
- The whole incident was caught on CCTV cameras on a bus waiting nearby at Hounslow bus garage.
- Drivers were being questioned, then told to pull off the road, to where a line of army vehicles waited.
- One announcement said passengers should use an alternative bus service - but at one stage no bus was waiting.
- With a last look over his shoulder, he started pulling her towards the back of the ship where the raft waited.
- The king's carriage waited just off the bridge, escorted by two mounted men at arms, one on either side.
Synonyms stay, remain, rest, linger, loiter, dally, stop, stay put
2cannot waitUsed to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen. 迫不及待 I can't wait for tomorrow 我等不到明天了。 with infinitive I can't wait to get started again 我迫不及待地想重新开始。 Example sentencesExamples - It used to be that you couldn't wait to turn 18 so you could go to the Republik.
- One minute I would be terribly home sick and the next I couldn't wait to get into central London.
- I can't wait till Christmas morning and we can set it up together.
- And even though the event is eleven months away, I'm sure that like me, you just can't wait!
- Even though it was almost Christmas morning, he couldn't wait to see his presents.
- I made many good friends at work and had always enjoyed my time there, but by the time it was over I couldn't wait to see the back of the place.
- She went back to Ridgeway School earlier in September and couldn't wait to catch up with her friends.
- Everyone else in the room looked like they were at a funeral from which they couldn't wait to escape.
- It was my first present from him and I felt so gorgeous in it that I couldn't wait to show it off.
- Jason says: am going stir crazy… can't wait for Zoe to come pick up and take me to Ashford!
- It hadn't occurred to me that people taking an acting class would find this scary, when I couldn't wait to get started.
- If you can't wait till then check out their new Video/DVD on the EMI label, it's in the shops now.
- I spent all those years in school and couldn't wait to leave and here I am, 25 years later, going back.
- By the time I reached home every item of clothing I was wearing was nasty and I couldn't wait to strip off.
- With potatoes, carrots and peas and a tasty seasoned gravy, I couldn't wait to tuck in.
- I just can't wait for Southern Cross Station to be completed and all the trains to go back to normal.
- He admits he dreaded weekends and couldn't wait to get back to work.
- My head was full of ideas for my new design all day and I couldn't wait to get home and try them out.
- Like nearly everyone who comes to Cape Town, we couldn't wait to head straight up Table Mountain.
- Some people here couldn't wait to get rid of him, but look at what he has achieved.
3Act as a waiter or waitress, serving food and drink. 侍候进餐，当侍者 a local man was employed to wait on them at table 聘用了一个本地人来侍候他们进餐。 with object we had to wait tables in the mess hall 我们得在集体食堂当侍者。 Example sentencesExamples - The role involves mainly waiting tables, but occasionally also working behind the bar.
- Seneca ridiculed a wealthy man because he kept a handsome slave who was dressed like a woman when he waited at table.
- The arts for most is a sacrifice and in New Zealand many of your favorite local artists may well have served you a drink, or waited on your table - when anywhere else in the world they may well be living the high life.
- The fortnight was officially launched on Tuesday, with visitors to the city's Market Square being waited on and served fine food and drink.
- I felt like a fraud, sitting in a pleasant room, served three delicious meals a day and being waited on by quietly efficient and obviously busy staff who even spoke a little English.
- Testino arrived from Lima, in Peru, almost thirty years ago, with nothing to his name and ended up waiting tables to pay his way.
- No free training and advice, no house, clothes and media spotlight, just singing, acting, shooting or writing between waiting on tables and scrubbing floors.
- The only member of that group who will wait on tables next Sunday is Sean Carroll who has served at all of the 45 parties.
- He was one of the footmen who waited at table.
- He then worked as an electronic appliance technician before switching to blue-collar jobs such as waiting on restaurant tables and selling audio equipment.
- If the truth be known, waiting tables was my only income.
- In 1938, a young Tennessee Williams earned his keep waiting on tables in nearby Toulouse Street.
- The greatest of celebrity musicians will do fine under any system, while those who are currently waiting on tables or driving a cab to support themselves have nothing to lose.
- Some 12 or so young people from the Fagley Youth Club waited on table, served our food and generally looked after us to make it a wonderful party.
Synonyms act as waiter, act as waitress, distribute food, distribute refreshments
nounweɪtwāt 1in singular A period of waiting. 等待，等候；等待的时间 我们等了好长时间。 Example sentencesExamples - Her family faced an agonising wait to see the extent of her injuries.
- Desperate motorists say they face an hour wait when trying to leave the car park at the end of the day.
- Rowena knew what this involved: a wait of several hours in a small and sometimes crowded waiting room.
- When clients come to me I see them once or twice to see if I'm the right architect, and then there's the wait period.
- Also today, news comes that British holidaymakers heading for the United States face a five-hour wait to check in.
- Meanwhile, local families with loved ones on holiday in southern Asia face an anxious wait for news.
- Unfortunately, a train has just left the station, and it will be quite a wait for the next one.
- The announcement ends a long wait for a permanent successor to Dean Robinson, who left the club in March.
- Meanwhile passengers have faced waits of up to 6 hours between check-in and departure.
- Customer wait time has been reduced by more than 3.4 days.
- Travellers to North America face a further wait as US airspace remained closed this evening.
- Patients experience shorter wait times because they can plan ahead for a specific date and approximate procedure time.
- But for Fred Storr, on the waiting list since November, the wait was too long.
- With only two lifts operational at any one time and 12 floors to service the wait intervals drove many to the stairs.
- Now she has been told that her operation has been postponed for two months in addition to the usual wait of three to four months.
- Rather than making a mad dash and then facing an indefinite wait at the station, check Tubetrack for your next train.
- As for getting swift action, our 30-year wait speaks for itself.
- The wait seemed interminable, and slowly she nodded off to sleep.
- Show up early, because no matter what time you go, there will be an interminable wait.
- So the big question is, has the wait been worth it?
Synonyms delay, hold-up, period of waiting, interval, interlude, intermission, pause, break, stay, cessation, suspension, detention, check, stoppage, halt, interruption, lull, respite, recess, postponement, discontinuation, moratorium, hiatus, gap, lapse, rest, entr'acte 2waitsarchaic Street singers of Christmas carols. 〈英，古〉沿街唱圣诞节颂歌的歌手 Example sentencesExamples - Originally they were mummers, performing traditional plays, and they then became known as waits, who would tour the town every evening before Christmas.
- 2.1historical Official bands of musicians maintained by a city or town.
〈史〉（城镇）官方乐队 Example sentencesExamples - He wrote music for the London theatres in the early part of the 17th century, and in 1622 joined the waits of the City of London.
PhrasesWait to find out what will happen before doing or deciding something. 等着瞧 Example sentencesExamples - Well, we have to wait and see in this case if the defense is going to put in for bail.
- So we will have to wait and see what happens on Friday afternoon I guess.
- Hopefully it won't be too bad to seriously affect my overall grade, I'll have to wait and see.
- Whether this will ever filter down to street-level, though, we'll have to wait and see.
- I haven't been able to find much information on the actual risks to adults, so we'll have to wait and see.
- We don't jump to any conclusions; we just wait and see what we have to deal with - and then deal with it.
- They arrived at the hospital just after 4am and it was then wait and see for a number of hours.
- However, Sligo must wait and see what the new team for the constituency will deliver.
- As to whether we have a capacity to go any further in future Budgets, you'll have to wait and see.
- I will have to wait and see how the weather goes during the morning as they say this part of the country is set to be hit by snow again today.
Used to convey a threat, warning, or promise. （表示威胁，警告或许诺）等着瞧；等着吧 just you wait till your father comes home! Example sentencesExamples - Oh that reminds me I also have to brush up on my French, because I'm gonna be fluent by the end of summer, just you wait.
Phrasal Verbs1Act as an attendant to (someone) 服侍，招待 a maid was appointed to wait on her 指派了一个女仆来服侍她。 Example sentencesExamples - I had to help with the preparations, taking time out from the demanding task of waiting on His Grace to assist with everything from cooking to candle making.
- Where once convicts were forced to hop around the exercise yard in the blazing sun, they now sunbathe in deckchairs, waited on by the guards.
- The coachman obediently waited on me and put out a hand to assist me.
- Palmerin is taken to Constantinople and appointed to wait on his cousin Polinarda, with whom he falls in love; while Floriano is taken to London and appointed to wait on Flerida.
Synonyms serve, attend to, tend, cater for, cater to, act as a waiter to, act as a waitress to - 1.1Serve (a customer) in a store.
- 1.2archaic Pay a respectful visit to.
〈古〉拜访；拜谒，拜见 Example sentencesExamples - The latter is very unpopular, & a deputation of ministers waited upon C, asking that he should be removed as he was not playing the game.
- It states that any deputation waiting on a Minister or member after a demonstration is limited to six.
2Await the convenience of. 等候…的时机，等待 we can't wait on the government; we have to do it ourselves Example sentencesExamples - ‘We're waiting on an expert witness who is unavailable until that day,’ Hettel said.
- They were waiting on the Department to roll out the breast check screening service in the South East.
- As the nation waits on Florida, Bruce Morton takes a look back at past presidential transitions that have not always been clear-cut.
- The problem is that we're waiting on the justice system.
- I'm waiting on our tech people to pull the pics off the digital camera…
- Productivity grew about half its previous rate during this period - no politicians fault; it waits on maturing technologies.
- He said there was need for the leadership to give people direction by providing information in the public domain which would make people begin to take the lead in issues of economic management rather than wait on government.
- Cancer patients recovering in hospital will no longer have to wait on the postman for their get well soon cards.
- The rest of the group sat and waited on her patiently.
1Not go to bed until someone arrives or something happens. 等着（某人到来或某事发生而）不睡觉，熬夜等待 Example sentencesExamples - And he always waits up for me, just to know that I got home safely.
- If you're waiting up all night for a husband who comes home after the kids are in bed, you might feel you're missing out.
- His father always waited up until his son returned from meetings late in the evening.
- Even though it was after midnight, her parents were still waiting up to hear the results.
- Thousands of Swindon youngsters will be eagerly waiting up for Santa to drop down the chimney tonight.
- He was surprised to find his father waiting up for him when he arrived home close to midnight.
- Manager Don Givens waited up until 4am for the player to return to HQ, at which point he gave up and went to bed.
- Instead of watching Rage, the Simpsons and Neighbours, I find myself waiting up for the end of Law and Order then crashing as soon as it finishes.
- Some people fervently expected the end of the world a year ago and waited up late for a ‘rapture’ that never arrived.
- Thank the Lord, you no longer feel compelled to wait up until midnight on New Year's Eve.
Synonyms stay awake, stay up, keep vigil 2Go more slowly or stop until someone catches up. 〈北美〉（为使别人赶上而）缓慢地走（或停下来等） Example sentencesExamples - ‘Hey Lizzy, wait up,’ Josh shouted as he grabbed his luggage and started to run to catch up with her.
- He dropped the keys into his pocket, thinking of what was just ahead of them, starting on the sidewalk without any intention of waiting up for Brooke to get out of the car.
- Katrina stared open-mouthed and then after a moment of hesitation, she followed Ashley, shouting for her to wait up.
- We rode towards Baker Lake, but before reaching the lake stopped to wait up for Michael and Cathy.
- I sassed when he caught up with me as I didn't wait up for him like he asked me too.
OriginMiddle English: from Old Northern French waitier, of Germanic origin; related to wake. Early senses included ‘lie in wait (for’), ‘observe carefully’, and ‘be watchful’. |