English Dictionary

Definition of “wave”

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wave (weɪvPronunciation for wave) 

Definitions

verb

  1. to move or cause to move freely to and fro  ⇒ the banner waved in the wind 
  2. (intr) to move the hand to and fro as a greeting
  3. to signal or signify by or as if by waving something
  4. (tr) to direct to move by or as if by waving something  ⇒ he waved me on 
  5. to form or be formed into curves, undulations, etc
  6. (tr) to give a wavy or watered appearance to (silk, etc)
  7. (tr) to set waves in (the hair)

noun

  1. one of a sequence of ridges or undulations that moves across the surface of a body of a liquid, esp the sea: created by the wind or a moving object and gravity
  2. any undulation on or at the edge of a surface reminiscent of such a wave  ⇒ a wave across the field of corn 
  3. See the waves
  4. anything that suggests the movement of a wave, as by a sudden rise  ⇒ a crime wave 
  5. a widespread movement that advances in a body  ⇒ a wave of settlers swept into the country 
  6. the act or an instance of waving
  7. physics an oscillation propagated through a medium or space such that energy is periodically interchanged between two kinds of disturbance. For example, an oscillating electric field generates a magnetic oscillation and vice versa, hence an electromagnetic wave is produced. Similarly a wave on a liquid comprises vertical and horizontal displacements See also antinode , longitudinal wave , node , standing wave , transverse wave
  8. physics a graphical representation of a wave obtained by plotting the magnitude of the disturbance against time at a particular point in the medium or space; waveform
  9. a prolonged spell of some weather condition  ⇒ a heat wave 
  10. an undulating curve or series of curves or loose curls in the hair
  11. an undulating pattern or finish on a fabric
  12. short for wave moth
  13. See make waves
  14. See ride the wave

Alternative Forms

ˈwaveless adjective ˈwaveˌlike adjective

Word Origin

Old English wafian  (vb); related to Old High German weban  to weave, Old Norse vafra;  see waver; C16 (n) changed from earlier wāwe,  probably from Old English wǣg motion; compare wagOld English (vb); related to Old High German to , Old Norse see ; C16 (n) changed from earlier probably from Old English motion; compare 1

Translations

  • British English: wave Pronunciation for wave If you give a wave, you move your hand from side to side in the air, usually to say hello or goodbye to someone.weɪv NOUN
  • Spanish: ola Pronunciation for ola nf
  • French: vague Pronunciation for vague nf
  • German: Welle Pronunciation for Welle nf
  • Chinese: 波浪Pronunciation for 波浪 n
  • Arabic: مَوْجَةPronunciation for مَوْجَة n
  • Portuguese: ondaPronunciation for onda nf
  • Russian: волнаPronunciation for волна nf
  • Croatian: valPronunciation for val nm
  • Czech: vlnaPronunciation for vlna nf
  • Danish: bølgePronunciation for bølge nutr
  • Dutch: golfPronunciation for golf n
  • Finnish: aaltoPronunciation for aalto n
  • Greek: κύμαPronunciation for κύμα nnt
  • Italian: ondaPronunciation for onda nf
  • Japanese: 波Pronunciation for 波 n
  • Korean: 파도Pronunciation for 파도 n
  • Norwegian: bølgePronunciation for bølge nm
  • Polish: falaPronunciation for fala nf
  • Brazilian Portuguese: acenoPronunciation for aceno nm
  • European Spanish: ola Pronunciation for ola nf
  • Swedish: vågPronunciation for våg nutr
  • Thai: คลื่นPronunciation for คลื่น n
  • Turkish: dalgaPronunciation for dalga n
  • Vietnamese: sóngPronunciation for sóng n
  • British English: wave Pronunciation for wave If you wave your hand, you move it from side to side, usually to say hello or goodbye.She waved her hand dismissively. Everywhere he went people turned and waved to him, delighted to see him.weɪv VERB She waved her hand dismissively. Everywhere he went people turned and waved to him, delighted to see him.
  • Spanish: saludar con la manoPronunciation for saludar con la mano v
  • French: saluer Pronunciation for saluer vt
  • German: winken Pronunciation for winken v
  • Chinese: 挥手Pronunciation for 挥手 v
  • Arabic: يُلَوِحPronunciation for يُلَوِح v
  • Portuguese: acenarPronunciation for acenar v
  • Russian: махатьPronunciation for махать v
  • Croatian: mahatiPronunciation for mahati v
  • Czech: zamávatPronunciation for zamávat v mávat
  • Danish: vinkePronunciation for vinke v
  • Dutch: zwaaienPronunciation for zwaaien v
  • Finnish: heiluttaa kättäänPronunciation for heiluttaa kättään v
  • Greek: γνέφωPronunciation for γνέφω v
  • Italian: agitarePronunciation for agitare v
  • Japanese: 手を振るPronunciation for 手を振る v
  • Korean: 손을 흔들다Pronunciation for 손을 흔들다 v
  • Norwegian: vinkePronunciation for vinke v
  • Polish: zafalowaćPronunciation for zafalować v falować
  • Brazilian Portuguese: acenarPronunciation for acenar v
  • European Spanish: saludar con la manoPronunciation for saludar con la mano v
  • Swedish: vinkaPronunciation for vinka v
  • Thai: โบกมือPronunciation for โบกมือ v
  • Turkish: el sallamakPronunciation for el sallamak v
  • Vietnamese: vẫy tayPronunciation for vẫy tay v
  • British English: wave Waves on the surface of the sea are the parts that move up and down.The waves broke over the rocks.weɪv NOUN The waves broke over the rocks.
  • French: onde nf
  • Arabic: مَوْج n
  • Brazilian Portuguese: onda nf

Usage examples

  • Maybe that means they are all too busy dealing with the crime wave.
    Anthony Masters, CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
  • The new wave of Internet-based farm shops - effectively farmers ' markets that deliver - is providing consumers with more choice than ever.
    Country Life (2005)
  • The Sarbanes-Oxley legislation was passed last July, in response to a wave of corporate scandals in the United States.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • The pilot eventually intervened to urge:'Go on, Francois, give them a wave.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • They gasp for breath as wave after wave of terror sweeps over them.
    Dorothy Rowe, BEYOND FEAR (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'W'

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