What are the definitions of “wait about”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Wait somewhere doing nothing.
I WAITED ABOUT for an hour, but they didn't come.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wait about”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wait about is to wait somewhere without doing anything, often for a period of time. It is used when someone is waiting for something or someone to arrive or happen.
What are the different verb forms of “wait about”?
| Root Verb | wait about |
| Third Person Singular Present | waits about |
| Present Participle | waiting about |
| Simple Past | waited about |
| Past Participle | waited about |
Example
I usually wait about at the bus stop until my friend arrives.
Example
She waits about in the park for her dog to finish playing.
Example
He is waiting about in the lobby for the meeting to start.
Example
Yesterday, they waited about at the airport for their flight.
Example
We have waited about for hours, but the concert was canceled.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wait about”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“wait about” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I waited about for an hour, but they didn't come.
Example
She waited about at the train station until her train arrived.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“wait about” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I waited about for an hour, but they didn't come.
Example
She waited about at the train station until her train arrived.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wait about”?
Good things to know
Does “wait about” have an informal or formal tone?
Wait about is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the context.
