What does waved mean?
Waved is the past tense and past participle of wave. As a verb, it describes making a sweeping motion with the hand, arm, flag, or another object, often to greet, signal, direct, or acknowledge someone. It can also describe material, vegetation, crowds, or other surfaces moving in a wave-like manner, and “waved through” means to allow someone to proceed, sometimes informally. As an adjective, waved means formed or arranged in waves, as in waved hair. The form is common in both British and American English and is usually neutral in tone. Its simple past and participle grammar can make a standalone entry less flexible than wave itself. Even so, waved is a useful reminder that a familiar gesture also has literal and figurative uses, from moving something back and forth to overcoming an obstacle with an approving gesture.
Moved the hand, arm, or another object in a sweeping motion, especially as a greeting or signal; brandished something; or moved with a wave-like motion.
"He waved his hat above his head to catch the referee's attention."
This is the past tense and past participle of wave and can be used transitively or intransitively.
Formed, arranged, or outlined in waves.
"Her waved hair framed her face."
The adjectival use is less frequent than the verbal forms and is especially associated with hair, surfaces, and decorative edges.
Waved and waived are homophones in English, yet one signals with the hand while the other gives something up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does waved come from?
Waved derives from wave, whose verb continues Old English wafian, meaning “to wave” or “to flap,” while the related noun descends from Old English wæf. The same Germanic ancestry also underlies waive, the source of waiver. The two English verbs subsequently diverged: wave developed the familiar senses of gesturing and undulating, while waive came to mean abandoning, exempting, or setting aside.
Related word forms
How waved is actually used
Waved is standard in both British and American English. It can function as a past-tense verb or a past participle. The expression 'waved through' can be informal when someone is permitted to proceed without a formal check or approval.
Easily confused with waved
Waved means to make a sweeping gesture, whereas waived means to relinquish, forgo, or set aside a right or requirement.