Await

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /əˈwɛɪt/
• Rhymes: -eɪt

Origin

From Middle English awaiten, from Old Northern French awaitier ("to lie in wait for, watch, observe"), originally especially with a hostile sense; itself from a- ("to") + waitier ("to watch").

Online Etymology Dictionary

Full definition of await

Verb

1. (transitive, formal) To wait for.
• MiltonBetwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat,
  Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 2, I had occasion … to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return … I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, …, and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.
2. I await your reply to my letter.
3. (transitive) To expect.
4. (transitive) To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for.
   Glorious rewards await the good in heaven; eternal suffering awaits mortal sinners in hell.
• 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, The House Behind the Cedars, Chapter I,Standing foursquare in the heart of the town, at the intersection of the two main streets, a "jog" at each street corner left around the market-house a little public square, which at this hour was well occupied by carts and wagons from the country and empty drays awaiting hire.
• MiltonO Eve, some farther change awaits us nigh.
5. (transitive) To wait on, serve or attend.
6. (intransitive) To watch, observe.
7. (intransitive) To wait (on or upon).
8. (intransitive) To wait; to stay in waiting.

Synonyms

• (wait for) wait for, anticipate, listen (of a sound)

Usage notes

As await means to wait for, it is not followed by "for". *I am awaiting for your reply is therefore incorrect.

Noun

1. (obsolete) A waiting for; ambush.
2. (obsolete) Watching, watchfulness, suspicious observation.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII:Also, madame, syte you well that there be many men spekith of oure love in this courte, and have you and me gretely in awayte, as thes Sir Aggravayne and Sir Mordred.
• 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, VI.6:For all that night, the whyles the Prince did rest … He watcht in close awayt with weapons prest ….