Await vs. Wait — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Await means to wait for an event that is certain, often implying readiness. Wait is to stay in place in expectation or anticipation of something, may not be certain.
Difference Between Await and Wait
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Key Differences
The term "await" implies an expectation of something specific happening, and it often suggests a preparedness on the part of the person waiting. It is usually followed by an object, meaning one cannot just "await," but must "await something." In contrast, "wait" is more general and can be used without an object; one can simply "wait."
"Await" carries a formal tone and is often found in written English. It is typically used in contexts where there is a clear expectation of an event or arrival, and there is often a sense of excitement or anxiety associated with it. "Wait," on the other hand, is common in both spoken and written English and is used in a variety of contexts, from the mundane to the more urgent.
With "await," there's often a notion that something is impending, and it may also convey a sense of endurance until the event comes to pass. When using "wait," the emphasis is on the passage of time and can imply patience or the act of pausing for a period, without the same connotation of imminence as "await."
Furthermore, "await" is sometimes used in legal or formal contexts to signify the anticipation of a certain outcome, like a verdict or a decision. "Wait" is much broader and can refer to any situation that requires staying in place or delaying action until a particular time or event.
Lastly, "await" cannot be used with a preposition; for instance, one cannot say "await for." However, "wait" can be used with or without a preposition, although "wait for" is the most common construction when waiting for something specific.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
More formal and less common in speech.
Common in both speech and writing.
Usage
Requires an object; cannot stand alone.
Can stand alone or with an object.
Prepositions
Does not use prepositions.
Often used with prepositions (e.g., "for").
Imminence
Implies something is expected to happen.
Does not imply imminence.
Tone
Often conveys a sense of readiness.
Simply implies the action of staying.
Compare with Definitions
Await
To be forthcoming; expected arrival.
Decisions by the jury are awaited with great anticipation.
Wait
To remain stationary until the arrival or occurrence of something.
Please wait at the gate until your name is called.
Await
To be in store for; impending.
Fame and fortune await the talented singer.
Wait
To delay action or proceeding.
Wait before you make any further decisions.
Await
To remain in readiness for; to be held until.
A warm welcome awaits our guests.
Wait
To remain in readiness or in anticipation.
I will wait for your call tomorrow.
Await
To lie ahead as a duty or obligation.
Many challenges await the new president.
Wait
Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event
He did not wait for a reply
We're waiting for Allan to get back
Vera did not wait on a Home Office ruling
Ben stood on the street corner waiting to cross
I had to wait my turn to play
Await
Wait for (an event)
We await the proposals with impatience
Remand prisoners awaiting trial
An eagerly awaited debut
Wait
Used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen
I can't wait to tell Nick what happened
Await
To wait for.
Wait
Act as a waiter or waitress, serving food and drink
A local man was employed to wait on them at table
We had to wait tables in the mess hall
Await
To be kept as ready for
A contract awaiting signature.
Wait
A period of waiting
We had a long wait
Await
To be in store for
Death awaits us all.
Wait
Street singers of Christmas carols.
Await
To be in store
A busy day awaits.
Wait
To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)
Await
To wait for.
I await your reply to my letter.
Wait
(intransitive) To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
Wait here until your car arrives.
Await
(transitive) To expect.
Wait
To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.
She used to wait in this joint.
Await
(transitive) To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for.
Glorious rewards await the good in heaven; eternal suffering awaits mortal sinners in hell.
Wait
To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.
Await
To serve or attend; to wait on, wait upon.
Wait
(obsolete) To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany.
Await
(intransitive) To watch, observe.
Wait
To defer or postpone (especially a meal).
Await
(intransitive) To wait; to stay in waiting.
Wait
(intransitive) To remain faithful to one’s partner or betrothed during a prolonged period of absence.
Await
(obsolete) A waiting for; ambush.
Wait
A delay.
I had a very long wait at the airport security check.
Await
(obsolete) Watching, watchfulness, suspicious observation.
Wait
An ambush.
They lay in wait for the patrol.
Await
To watch for; to look out for.
Wait
(computing) wait state
Await
To wait on, serve, or attend.
Wait
(obsolete) One who watches; a watchman.
Await
To wait for; to stay for; to expect. See Expect.
Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat,Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night.
Wait
Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians.
Await
To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for; as, a glorious reward awaits the good.
O Eve, some farther change awaits us night.
Wait
Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen. [formerly waites, wayghtes.]
Await
To watch.
Wait
(informal) Tells the other speaker to stop talking, typing etc. for a moment.
Wait. Stop talking for a moment while I get my head straight.
Await
To wait (on or upon).
Wait
To watch; to observe; to take notice.
"But [unless] ye wait well and be privy,I wot right well, I am but dead," quoth she.
Await
To wait; to stay in waiting.
Wait
To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain stationary till the arrival of some person or event; to rest in patience; to stay; not to depart.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
They also serve who only stand and wait.
Haste, my dear father; 't is no time to wait.
Await
A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed.
Wait
To stay for; to rest or remain stationary in expectation of; to await; as, to wait orders.
Awed with these words, in camps they still abide,And wait with longing looks their promised guide.
Await
Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted
Wait
To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany; to await.
Await
To look forward to something eagerly.
The sailors await the return of the tide.
Wait
To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.
He chose a thousand horse, the flower of allHis warlike troops, to wait the funeral.
Remorse and heaviness of heart shall wait thee,And everlasting anguish be thy portion.
Wait
To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; - said of a meal; as, to wait dinner.
Wait
The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.
There is a wait of three hours at the border Mexican town of El Paso.
Wait
Ambush.
Wait
One who watches; a watchman.
Wait
Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used in the singular.
Wait
Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen.
Hark! are the waits abroad?
The sound of the waits, rude as may be their minstrelsy, breaks upon the mild watches of a winter night with the effect of perfect harmony.
Wait
Time during which some action is awaited;
Instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action
Wait
The act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something);
The wait was an ordeal for him
Wait
Stay in one place and anticipate or expect something;
I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets
Wait
Wait before acting
Wait
Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted
Wait
Serve as a waiter in a restaurant;
I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's
Wait
To serve or attend to by standing by and ready to act.
The server will wait on our table soon.
Wait
To look forward to eagerly.
They wait the arrival of the guest of honor.
Common Curiosities
Can "await" be used without an object?
No, "await" must have an object to complete its meaning.
Is "await" more formal than "wait"?
Yes, "await" is generally more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation.
Can "wait" be used in a formal context?
Yes, "wait" can be used formally, but "await" is typically chosen for very formal writing.
Is it correct to say "wait for" someone or something?
Yes, "wait for" is a correct and common phrase.
Do "await" and "wait" have the same meaning?
They have similar meanings, but "await" often implies expectation and readiness for a certain event.
Is "await" used in the legal context?
Yes, "await" is often used in legal or formal contexts.
Can I use "awaiting" at the beginning of an email?
Yes, you can use "Awaiting [something]" to start a formal email.
Is it ever correct to say "await for"?
No, "await" should never be followed by "for."
Can "wait" be used as a noun?
Yes, "wait" can be a noun, meaning the act of waiting.
Is "await" common in everyday speech?
It is less common than "wait" and is more formal.
Can the use of "await" or "wait" change the tone of a message?
Yes, "await" might make a message sound more formal or urgent than "wait."
Can "wait on" mean the same as "wait for"?
Sometimes, but "wait on" can also mean to serve.
Do "await" and "wait" always imply a long duration?
Not necessarily; the duration can be short or long depending on context.
Is "wait up" an idiomatic expression?
Yes, "wait up" means to not go to bed because someone is not home yet.
What does "await" mean in email correspondence?
In emails, "await" means you are expecting a reply or action.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
