Waiver vs. Waver — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
Waiver is a noun referring to the act of relinquishing a right or claim; Waver is a verb meaning to oscillate or be uncertain in decision or action.
Difference Between Waiver and Waver
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Waiver refers to the intentional relinquishment of a right or claim, often documented in writing. Waver, on the other hand, is an action word indicating indecision or fluctuation, usually in thought or position.
In legal contexts, a waiver is a formal document where one party forgoes a particular right, privilege, or claim. Meanwhile, to waver in a decision could mean to oscillate between choices, showing uncertainty.
While you might sign a waiver before participating in a potentially risky activity, indicating you won't hold the organizers responsible for certain harms, you might waver on whether to participate at all due to fears or doubts.
In casual conversation, someone might ask if you've gotten a waiver for an event, referring to the necessary permission slip or release. On the other hand, if you waver about attending, you're showing hesitation.
Waiver and Waver might sound similar, but while the former pertains to rights and permissions, the latter is all about uncertainty and fluctuation.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Meaning
Relinquishment of a right or claim
To oscillate or be uncertain
Typical Use
Legal, permissions
Decision-making, fluctuating feelings
Example Sentence
"I signed the waiver before skydiving."
"He wavered between two options."
Associated Phrases
"sign a waiver", "waiver form"
"don't waver", "waver in one's commitment"
Compare with Definitions
Waiver
An agreement to not enforce a potential claim or right.
The athlete's contract included a waiver of liability for injuries.
Waver
To show indecision or hesitation.
He wavered between joining the team or not.
Waiver
A formal relinquishment of a right or claim.
She provided a waiver, giving up her inheritance.
Waver
To sway or tremble.
Her voice wavered with emotion.
Waiver
A documented permission allowing someone to avoid an obligation.
Before the trip, each participant must submit a waiver.
Waver
To move unsteadily back and forth
The flowers wavered in the breeze.
Waiver
A waiver is the voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some known right or privilege. Regulatory agencies of state departments or the federal government may issue waivers to exempt companies from certain regulations.
Waver
To move in a certain direction with a swaying or unsteady motion
The child wavered along the hall. Snowflakes wavered down.
Waiver
Intentional relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege.
Waver
To exhibit irresolution or indecision; vacillate
They wavered over buying a house.
Waiver
The document that evidences such relinquishment.
Waver
To become unsteady or unsure; falter
His resolve began to waver.
Waiver
A dispensation, as from a rule or penalty.
Waver
To become diverted
She never wavered from her position opposing the war.
Waiver
Permission for a professional athletic club to assign a player to the minor leagues or release a player from the club, granted only after all other clubs have been given the opportunity to claim the player and have not done so.
Waver
To change or fluctuate
The weather wavered between sunny and overcast.
Waiver
A deferment.
Waver
To tremble or quaver in sound, as of the voice or a musical note.
Waiver
To provide with a waiver or issue a waiver for.
Waver
To flicker or glimmer
The door opened, and the light from the candle wavered.
Waiver
The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim, or privilege.
Waver
The action of wavering
The waver of the flashlight in the distance.
Waiver
(legal) A legal document removing some requirement, such as waiving a right (giving it up) or a waiver of liability (agreeing to hold someone blameless).
I had to sign a waiver when I went skydiving, agreeing not to sue even if something went wrong.
Waver
(intransitive) To sway back and forth; to totter or reel.
Flowers wavered in the breeze.
Waiver
Something that releases a person from a requirement.
I needed a waiver from the department head to take the course because I didn't technically have the prerequisite courses.
I needed a waiver from the zoning board for the house because the lot was so small, but they let me build because it was next to the park.
Waver
(intransitive) To flicker, glimmer, quiver, as a weak light.
Waiver
(obsolete) The process of waiving or outlawing a person.
Waver
(intransitive) To fluctuate or vary, as commodity prices or a poorly sustained musical pitch.
Waiver
(transitive) To waive (to relinquish, to forego).
Waver
(intransitive) To shake or tremble, as the hands or voice.
His voice wavered when the reporter brought up the controversial topic.
Waiver
The act of waiving, or not insisting on, some right, claim, or privilege.
Waver
(intransitive) To falter; become unsteady; begin to fail or give way.
Waiver
A formal written statement of relinquishment
Waver
(intransitive) To be indecisive between choices; to feel or show doubt or indecision; to vacillate.
Despite all the terrible things that happened to her, she never wavered from her beliefs.
Waiver
An exemption from a rule or regulation.
The council granted a waiver for the height restrictions of the building.
Waver
An act of wavering, vacillating, etc.
Waiver
A release from a requirement.
Students with disabilities might receive a waiver for certain course prerequisites.
Waver
Someone who waves, enjoys waving, etc.
I felt encouraged by all the enthusiastic wavers in the crowd.
The Fourth of July brings out all the flag wavers.
Johnny is such a little waver; everyone who passes by receives his preferred greeting.
Waver
Someone who specializes in waving (hair treatment).
Waver
A tool that accomplishes hair waving.
Waver
A sapling left standing in a fallen wood.
Waver
To play or move to and fro; to move one way and the other; hence, to totter; to reel; to swing; to flutter.
With banners and pennons wavering with the wind.
Thou wouldst waver on one of these trees as a terror to all evil speakers against dignities.
Waver
To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be undetermined; to fluctuate; as, to water in judgment.
Let us hold fast . . . without wavering.
In feeble hearts, propense enough beforeTo waver, or fall off and join with idols.
Waver
A sapling left standing in a fallen wood.
Waver
Someone who communicates by waving
Waver
The act of pausing uncertainly;
There was a hesitation in his speech
Waver
The act of moving back and forth
Waver
Pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness;
Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures
Waver
Be unsure or weak;
Their enthusiasm is faltering
Waver
Move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
Waver
Move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern;
The line on the monitor vacillated
Waver
Move back and forth very rapidly;
The candle flickered
Waver
Sway to and fro
Waver
Give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
Waver
To oscillate or fluctuate.
The candle flame wavered in the breeze.
Waver
To be unstable or unsteady.
His confidence began to waver during the presentation.
Waver
To falter in commitment or belief.
Supporters wavered when the challenges became apparent.
Common Curiosities
Is a waiver always in written form?
Though waivers are often written for clarity and legal protection, oral waivers can exist but might be harder to prove.
Can waiver be used as a verb?
No, "waiver" is primarily used as a noun. "Waive" is the verb form.
What does it mean when someone's voice wavers?
It means their voice is shaky or unsteady, often due to emotion.
Can you provide a synonym for waiver?
Yes, "relinquishment" can be a synonym for waiver in certain contexts.
Can you provide a synonym for waver?
"Hesitate" or "oscillate" can be synonyms for waver.
Can waver be used in a positive context?
Yes, though "waver" often indicates uncertainty, it can be neutral, like when describing something physically swaying.
If someone's commitment doesn't waver, what does it mean?
It means their commitment remains strong and unwavering.
What part of speech is waver?
"Waver" is primarily a verb.
How can I remember the difference between waiver and waver?
Recall that a waiver "waives" rights (both have "i"), while to waver means to be indecisive (both have "e").
What is the primary function of a waiver in legal contexts?
A waiver serves as a formal relinquishment of a right or claim.
When someone wavers in a decision, is it always a negative thing?
Not necessarily; sometimes it indicates careful consideration.
Can I use waiver and waver interchangeably?
No, they have distinct meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.
How common is the use of waivers in everyday activities?
Quite common, especially in activities with potential risks like sports or events, to protect organizers from liability.
Do waiver and waver originate from the same root word?
No, they have different etymological origins.
If I sign a waiver, am I protected from all possible harm?
No, signing a waiver typically releases a party from specific liabilities, not all possible harms.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
