Learn How to Pronounce wait

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wait

Definition:

(nou) time during which some action is awaited (nou) the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

Phonetic Transcription:

weɪt

Examples:

If we delay, postpone, temporize, wait until the next election, it'll get worse.

We wait and wait and wait on headlong until something happens.

Learn more about:
wait

Related Words:

delay

still

line

How to perfect your pronunciation of: wait

Learn Individual Sounds

Break wait down into individual sounds such as weɪt. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of wait pronunciation

Vowel confusion: Some learners may pronounce "wait" with a short vowel sound, saying /wɛt/. This is incorrect; the correct pronunciation is /weɪt/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on elongating the vowel sound to achieve the diphthong.
Silent "t" error: A common mistake is to pronounce the "t" in "wait" too softly or omit it entirely, resulting in /weɪ/. The correct pronunciation includes the "t" sound, /weɪt/. Tip: Practice saying "wait" with emphasis on the final "t" to reinforce its presence.
Stress misplacement: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "wait" as /ˈweɪt/. However, "wait" is a one-syllable word, so the stress is on the single syllable. Tip: Remember that "wait" has only one syllable, which carries the stress.
Overemphasis on "w": Learners might overly emphasize the "w" sound, pronouncing it as /wʌɪt/. The correct pronunciation is /weɪt/, with a smooth transition from "w" to the vowel. Tip: Practice saying "wait" slowly to ensure a balanced pronunciation.
Incorrect vowel length: Some may shorten the vowel sound, saying "wait" as /wɪt/. The correct form has a long vowel sound, /weɪt/. Tip: Listen to native speakers and mimic the length of the vowel in "wait" to improve your pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "wait"?

The word "wait" is pronounced as /weɪt/ in both American and British English. The sound starts with the diphthong "weɪ," which sounds like "way," followed by the "t" sound.

What is the syllable structure of "wait"?

The word "wait" has one syllable. It is a monosyllabic word that combines the vowel sound "weɪ" with the consonant "t."

Is there a schwa sound in "wait"?

No, there is no schwa sound in "wait." The pronunciation is clear and direct, without any unstressed vowel sounds.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "wait"?

One common mistake is mispronouncing "wait" as /wæt/ by confusing it with the word "wet." Remember that "wait" has the long vowel sound /eɪ/, not the short "a" sound.