1 A2 informal
To stay in a place doing nothing while waiting for something or someone, typically feeling bored or impatient.
"I waited around for two hours before the doctor finally called my name."
inseparable
wait around
A2 informal inseparable intransitive
To stay in a place doing nothing while waiting for someone or something, often with a sense of impatience or wasted time.
In plain English
To stay somewhere and do nothing while you wait — often in a boring or annoying way.
What does "wait around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 informal
To remain available or in a place without a specific task, hoping something will happen.
"Don't wait around hoping she'll call — make a decision and move on."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To wait while being around (a place) — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To stay somewhere and do nothing while you wait — often in a boring or annoying way.
Usage tip
Implies that the waiting is tedious or feels unproductive. Often used in negative sentences or with words like 'all day' to emphasize frustration. Common in both British and American English.
Words that pair with "wait around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
all day forever outside hours impatiently pointlessly
How to conjugate "wait around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wait around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
waits around
he/she/it
Past simple
waited around
yesterday
Past participle
waited around
have + pp
-ing form
waiting around
continuous
Hear "wait around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wait around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "wait around"
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Keep exploring
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