What does waiting mean?
Waiting is the act of remaining in place, delaying action, or staying alert until a person, event, or result occurs. As a verb, it is the present participle of wait and is used both progressively, as in “She is waiting outside,” and in participial constructions such as “a waiting list.” As a noun, waiting names the often unwelcome period of delay that precedes an expected arrival, decision, or opportunity. The word is neutral in register but frequently carries connotations of passivity, uncertainty, and sometimes impatience. In formal writing, await is often preferred when referring to things rather than people, although both terms occur in British and American English. Waiting also appears in idiomatic phrasal constructions, especially with wait on. Whether brief or prolonged, waiting is a familiar part of daily life, and its ordinary use is distinguished largely by the surrounding prepositions, especially for, with, or on. Its long history also explains why the modern word can describe both physically staying until something happens and figuratively remaining poised for an outcome.
To remain in place or delay action until a person, event, or outcome occurs.
"They waited outside until the doors opened."
Often used with for, with, or on. The progressive form emphasizes an activity currently continuing.
Awaiting action, attention, admission, or an opportunity.
"She joined the waiting list for a library book."
Most often appears immediately before a noun, especially in fixed phrases such as “waiting room” and “waiting list.”
The state or period of delaying action until something happens.
"The long waiting ended when the results were announced."
Usually uncountable and often implies an unwelcome delay.
As a noun, waiting is normally an uncountable mass noun.
"After several months of waiting, the decision finally arrived."
Waiting began as watching: its ancient Germanic relatives meant to keep watch, not merely to stand still.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does waiting come from?
Waiting was formed in English by adding the suffix -ing to wait. Middle English waiten came through Anglo-French waitier and was ultimately related to Old High German wahhan, meaning “to watch or guard,” a root also associated with English watch. Related cognates include Dutch wachten and German warten, while await developed through Old French awaitier. The resulting form functions as a present participle, a gerund, and a participial adjective.
How waiting is actually used
The word is neutral in register but often suggests passivity, uncertainty, or impatience when the delay is unwelcome. The phrasal verb “wait on” is regional: in North American English it can mean attend to or serve someone, whereas in British English it can mean await.
Easily confused with waiting
Await is usually transitive and formal, as in “await the results,” whereas waiting commonly appears intransitively with for, as in “waiting for the results.”