How to Pronounce Wait

To pronounce "wait", say WAIT — one syllable, IPA /weɪt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

wait

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/weɪt/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “wait”

"wait" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with elucidate and articulate, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: weight, waite, waitt, wayt — easy to mix up when writing.

What does wait mean?

noun

  1. A delay.

    “I had a very long wait at the airport security check.”

  2. An ambush.

    “They lay in wait for the patrol.”

verb

  1. To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)
  2. To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.

    “Wait here until your car arrives.”

Synonyms

attendescortgo withbestandservetenddeferpostpone

Hear “wait” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with wait

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

elucidatearticulatedesolatefacilitateprofligateexplicatedeliberatedelineateruminateinnatecultivatestate

Related words

awaitpostponementdelayholdexpectlookstandby

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "wait"?▾

"Wait" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "wait"?▾

The IPA transcription of "wait" is /weɪt/.

What does "wait" mean?▾

Wait: A delay.

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