What does the phrasal verb “wait on” mean?

What are the definitions of “wait on”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Serve people in a restaurant.

  They have two people WAITING ON each table.

• 2. Sell goods in a shop.

  He WAITS ON customers in an electronics store.

• 3. Provide someone with everything they need or want.

  He has a butler who WAITS ON him.

• 4. Wait for a result before being able to make a decision.

  They're WAITING ON the results of the vote before taking a final decision.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wait on”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wait on is to serve people, usually in a restaurant or a shop. It means attending to customers' needs, taking their orders, and providing them with the products or services they require.

What are the different verb forms of “wait on”?

Root Verb	wait on
Third Person Singular Present	waits on
Present Participle	waiting on
Simple Past	waited on
Past Participle	waited on

Example

She waits on customers at the cafe.

Example

He waits on tables at the restaurant.

Example

They are waiting on customers at the store.

Example

Yesterday, she waited on a large group of people.

Example

He has waited on many famous people during his career.

What kind of phrasal verb is “wait on”?

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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.)

Transitive verb

“wait on” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

She waits on customers at the cafe.

Example

He waits on tables at the restaurant.

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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 on” 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

She waits on customers at the cafe.

Example

He waits on tables at the restaurant.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wait on”?

Wait on someone hand and foot

To attend to someone's every need, often excessively or excessively.

Example

She waits on her husband hand and foot, doing everything for him.

Wait on the results

To wait for the outcome or results of something before making a decision or taking action.

Example

We're waiting on the test results before deciding on a treatment plan.

Wait on a decision

To wait for a decision to be made before taking action or making plans.

Example

They're waiting on the boss's decision before moving forward with the project.

Good things to know

Does “wait on” have an informal or formal tone?

Wait on is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as in business or professional environments.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “wait on”?

Synonyms

• serve
• assist
• help
• attend to
• cater to
• tend to
• take care of
• look after

Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• disregard
• overlook
• abandon
• leave