wait on

To serve someone, for example by bringing food or doing things they need.

• Who is waiting on that customer?
• She waited on guests at the hotel.
• I cannot wait on you all day.

How to use it: wait on someone (Two waiters waited on our table.)

Similar words: serve, attend to

Common phrases: wait on someone, wait on customers

To stay until someone arrives or is ready.

• We are waiting on you.
• They waited on their brother before leaving.
• Are you still waiting on the driver?

How to use it: wait on someone to do something (We are waiting on Sam to finish packing.)

Similar words: wait for, await

Common phrases: wait on someone, wait on everyone

To stay or delay doing something until a thing arrives or an event happens.

• We are waiting on the results.
• She waited on a reply for days.
• Are they still waiting on their delivery?

How to use it: wait on something (We are waiting on approval for the project.); wait on something to do something (They waited on the light to change.)

Similar words: wait for, await

Common phrases: wait on results, wait on approval

To be something that a person will experience in the future.

• Trouble waits on the traveler ahead.
• Great hardship waited on them in the distant city.
• They wondered what fate would wait on them there.

How to use it: something waits on someone (Hardship waited on the travelers beyond the mountains.)

Similar words: await, lie ahead of

Common phrases: wait on someone, wait on the traveler

For a hunting bird, to fly above its handler until an animal appears below.

• The falcon waits on above its handler.
• The hawk waited on until the rabbit appeared.
• A trained bird will wait on while the falconer walks.

Similar words: hover

Common phrases: wait on overhead, wait on patiently