What does awaiting mean?
'Awaiting' is the present participle of the verb 'await', meaning to wait for someone or something that is expected to arrive, occur, or be made known. It is inherently transitive — it takes a direct object without a preposition, as in 'awaiting a response' rather than 'awaiting for a response' — which sets it apart from its more casual cousin 'wait'. The word carries a distinctly formal tone, making it a fixture of official correspondence, legal language ('awaiting trial'), administrative notices ('awaiting approval'), and polished prose describing anticipation. It often implies not merely passing time but a state of expectation directed at something specific and frequently significant: a verdict, an arrival, a decision. Because it conveys poised, purposeful expectation rather than idle delay, writers reach for it when they want to lend gravity or elegance to a sentence. Its Germanic roots connect it etymologically to 'wait', 'watch', and 'wake', all descendants of the same ancient idea of staying alert for what is to come.
verb (present participle of await)The act of waiting for someone or something that is expected to arrive, happen, or be revealed.
- To wait for an expected person, event, or thing, often with a sense of anticipation or formality.
"The finalists sat nervously in the green room, awaiting the judges' decision."
"Thousands of fans were awaiting the band's arrival at the airport."
"Her application is still awaiting review by the admissions committee."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of awaiting
'Awaiting' derives from the verb 'await', which entered Middle English from Anglo-Norman French 'awaitier' (a variant of 'waitier'), itself borrowed from a Germanic source meaning to watch or stay alert. It thus shares deep Germanic roots with native English 'watch' and 'wake', all descended from the same ancient notion of keeping vigil. The participle 'awaiting' has been in continuous use since the Middle English period and retains its formal register today.
Related word forms
How awaiting is actually used
'Awaiting' is the progressive form of 'await', a transitive verb that takes a direct object ('awaiting a reply', not 'awaiting for a reply') — unlike 'wait', which normally requires 'for'. It carries a noticeably formal register, common in official notices, business correspondence, and legal contexts such as 'awaiting trial'.
Easily confused with awaiting
'Awaiting' implies expecting something specific or imminent and is more formal, while 'waiting' is the general, neutral term for passing time until something happens.