Phrasal verb
wait on
Meanings
To serve someone (for example, bringing food or helping a customer).
To depend on something happening before you can do something.
(Often informal, mainly North American) To wait for someone or something to arrive; to be waiting for.
Definition
To wait on someone is to serve them or attend to their needs.
"Wait on" most commonly means to serve someone, especially in a restaurant, hotel, or at an event. It can also mean to be dependent on something happening before you can act. In some varieties of English, it is used to mean "wait for," but many learners should avoid this to prevent confusion.
Examples
- Our server waited on us quickly, even though the restaurant was busy.
- I can’t finish the report yet because I’m waiting on the final numbers.
- She waited on her guests and refilled their glasses during the dinner party.
- They’re waiting on a call back before they choose a date for the meeting.
- Are you still waiting on the bus, or did it already come?
Common mistake
Learners often use "wait on" when they mean "wait for" in formal contexts, where "wait for" is usually safer and clearer.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.