- stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens等候, 等待：
he did not wait for a reply
他没有等待答复
Vera did not wait on a Home Office ruling
维拉并没有等候内政部的裁决
with infinitive Ben stood on the street corner waiting to cross本在街道拐角处等着过马路
with obj. I had to wait my turn to play.我得等候轮到我玩。
- remain in readiness for some purpose等着：
he found the funicular car waiting on the platform.
他发现索道车厢正在平台上等着。
- be left until a later time before being dealt with等候：
we shall need a statement later, but that will have to wait.
我们以后将需要一个声明, 但那得等一等。
- with obj. informal defer (a meal) until a person's arrival〈非正式〉（为等某人）推迟（进餐）：
he will wait supper for me.
他将等我吃晚饭。
- usu. as noun waiting(of a vehicle) remain parked for a short time at the side of a road（车辆）在路边临时停车：
Holmes admitted parking a car in a no-waiting zone.
霍姆斯承认把车停放在非临时停车区了。
wait on/upon
await the convenience of等候…的时机, 等待：to see the full series, we will have to wait on the BBC.
为了把电视系列节目完整看完, 我们得耐心等候BBC的节目。
cannot wait
used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen迫不及待：I can't wait for tomorrow
我等不到明天了
with infinitive I can't wait to get started again.我迫不及待地想重新开始。
- act as a waiter or waitress, serving food and drink侍候进餐, 当侍者：
a local man was employed to wait on them at table
聘用了一个本地人来侍候他们进餐
with obj. we had to wait tables in the mess hall.我们得在集体食堂当侍者。
- in sing. a period of waiting等待, 等候; 等待的时间：
we had a long wait.
我们等了好长时间。
waits
Brit. archaic street singers of Christmas carols〈英, 古〉沿街唱圣诞节颂歌的歌手。
- historical official bands of musicians maintained by a city or town〈史〉（城镇）官方乐队。
in wait
- watching for an enemy or potential victim and preparing to attack them伺机（攻击敌人或潜在的牺牲品）：
he decided to lie in wait for the thief.
他决定埋伏等那个小偷。
wait and see
- wait to find out what will happen before doing or deciding something等着瞧。
wait for it
- Brit. informal do not act before the proper moment〈英, 非正式〉等待时机：
patrol-wait for it-halt!
巡逻——等待时机——停！
you wait
- used to convey a threat, warning, or promise（表示威胁, 警告或许诺）等着瞧; 等着吧：
you wait until your Dad gets in!
等着, 你爸来了再说！
wait on（或upon）
- act as an attendant to (someone)服侍, 招待：
a maid was appointed to wait on her.
指派了一个女仆来服侍她。
- archaic pay a respectful visit to〈古〉拜访; 拜谒, 拜见：
- Austral. /NZ & N. English informal 〈澳/新西兰, 北英格兰, 非正式〉not do a particular thing until something else happens等待, 等候：
wait on, I've an important message for you.
等着, 我有重要消息告诉你。
- be patient耐心点。
wait up
- not go to bed until someone arrives or something happens等着（某人到来或某事发生而）不睡觉, 熬夜等待。
- N. Amer. go more slowly or stop until someone catches up〈北美〉（为使别人赶上而）缓慢地走（或停下来等）。