# waiting

/ˈweɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/waiting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. staying in expectation

noun · CEFR A1

the time you spend staying in a place until something happens.

For teachers: the act or period of remaining in a state of expectation or anticipation.

- After an hour of waiting, the doctor finally called my name.
- The long waiting in the terminal was made more bearable by the comfortable seating and the availability of high-speed internet.

### 3. attendance or service

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

the act of serving or helping someone, especially in a formal way.

For teachers: the act of attending or serving, particularly in a formal or royal household context.

- The lady-in-waiting helped the queen prepare for the ceremony.
- The position involved constant waiting upon the duchess, requiring the staff to be available at all hours of the day and night.

Usage: Often found in the phrase 'lady-in-waiting'.

## Examples

- The long waiting for the bus made me late.
- After months of waiting, the family finally received the keys to their new apartment.
- The psychological toll of indefinite waiting can often be more taxing than the event itself, as the lack of a clear timeline prevents any meaningful preparation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.