What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wait
Example
I'll wait for you outside the store. [wait: verb]
Example
Please wait patiently for your turn. [wait: adverb]
Example
There was a long wait before the concert started. [wait: noun]
delay
Example
The flight was delayed due to bad weather. [delay: verb]
Example
The delay in the project caused frustration among team members. [delay: noun]
Example
We experienced a delay in traffic on the way to the airport. [delay: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wait is more commonly used than delay in everyday language. Wait is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while delay is more specific and often used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wait and delay?
Delay is generally considered more formal than wait. It is often used in technical or legal contexts, while wait can be used in both formal and informal situations.
