What are the definitions of “wait out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Wait till something has finished, usually something unpleasant.
We'll have to WAIT OUT this uncertainty.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wait out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wait out is to wait patiently until an unpleasant situation or event has finished or passed. For example, it can mean waiting for a storm to pass, waiting for a difficult time to end, or waiting for a crisis to be resolved.
What are the different verb forms of “wait out”?
| Root Verb | wait out |
| Third Person Singular Present | waits out |
| Present Participle | waiting out |
| Simple Past | waited out |
| Past Participle | waited out |
Example
We will wait out the storm in the basement.
Example
She waits out the traffic jam by listening to music.
Example
They are waiting out the pandemic before making any big decisions.
Example
He waited out the rain before going for a walk.
Example
The difficult period was waited out with patience and resilience.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wait out”?
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 out” 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
We waited out the storm in the basement.
Example
She waited the traffic jam out by listening to music.
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 out” 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
We waited out the storm in the basement.
Example
She waited the traffic jam out by listening to music.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wait out”?
Good things to know
Does “wait out” have an informal or formal tone?
Wait out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
