# waving

/ˈweɪvɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈeɪvɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/waving
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. hand signal

noun · CEFR A2

moving your hand from side to side to say hello, goodbye, or to get attention.

For teachers: the act of moving the hand or an object to and fro as a greeting, farewell, or signal.

- With a friendly waving of her hand, she said goodbye to her friends.
- The frantic waving of the stranded hikers finally caught the attention of the rescue helicopter pilot.

### 2. moving in the wind

noun · CEFR B2

the way something like a flag or long grass moves back and forth in the air.

For teachers: the undulating or fluttering motion of a flexible object, such as a flag or foliage, caused by air currents.

- The waving of the tall grass in the field looked like a green ocean.
- The rhythmic waving of the banners atop the castle walls provided a colourful display for the arriving dignitaries.

## Examples

- She gave a friendly waving of her hand as the train left.
- The crowd responded to the president's arrival with enthusiastic waving and cheering from behind the barriers.
- Despite the distance between the two ships, the sailors could clearly see the frantic waving of a white flag from the upper deck.

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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.