Word Games Pro Dictionary

wave

verb noun

To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
4
Starts with
W
Ends with
E
Contains
AV
Scrabble score
10
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

How it sounds

Pronunciation

/weɪv/ /weɪv/

Listen

Audio Pronunciation

Audio pronunciation is unavailable for this word.

Meaning

Definitions

verb

  1. To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.

    “The flag waved in the gentle breeze.”

  2. To move one’s hand back and forth (generally above the shoulders) in greeting or departure.

  3. (metonymic) To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to signal; to indicate.

    “I waved goodbye from across the room.”

  4. To have an undulating or wavy form.

  5. To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form or surface to.

  6. To produce waves to the hair.

  7. To swing and miss at a pitch.

    “Jones waves at strike one.”

  8. To cause to move back and forth repeatedly.

    “The starter waved the flag to begin the race.”

  9. (metonymic) To signal (someone or something) with a waving movement.

  10. To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state.

  11. To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft.

noun

  1. A moving disturbance in the level of a body of liquid; an undulation.

    “The wave traveled from the center of the lake before breaking on the shore.”

  2. The ocean.

  3. A moving disturbance in the energy level of a field.

  4. A shape that alternatingly curves in opposite directions.

    “Her hair had a nice wave to it.”

  5. Any of a number of species of moths in the geometrid subfamily Sterrhinae, which have wavy markings on the wings.

  6. A loose back-and-forth movement, as of the hands.

    “He dismissed her with a wave of the hand.”

  7. A sudden unusually large amount of something that is temporarily experienced.

    “A wave of emotion overcame her when she thought about her son who was killed in battle.”

  8. (by extension) One of the successive swarms of enemies sent to attack the player in certain games.

  9. (usually "the wave") A group activity in a crowd imitating a wave going through water, where people in successive parts of the crowd stand and stretch upward, then sit.

verb

  1. To relinquish (a right etc.); to give up claim to; to forego.

    “If you waive the right to be silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.”

  2. To put aside, avoid.

  3. To outlaw (someone).

  4. To abandon, give up (someone or something).

verb

  1. To move from side to side; to sway.

  2. To stray, wander.

In context

Example Sentences

The flag waved in the gentle breeze.
I waved goodbye from across the room.
Jones waves at strike one.
The starter waved the flag to begin the race.
The wave traveled from the center of the lake before breaking on the shore.
Her hair had a nice wave to it.
He dismissed her with a wave of the hand.
A wave of emotion overcame her when she thought about her son who was killed in battle.
If you waive the right to be silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.

Similar words

Synonyms

Scroll to Top