1 B1 neutral
To use a hand gesture to indicate that someone should enter a place or move inward.
"The security officer checked the pass and then waved the car in."
separable
wave in
B2 neutral separable transitive
To gesture with a wave for someone to enter a place.
In plain English
To use your hand to signal to someone that they can come inside or come in.
What does "wave in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To welcome someone by waving them into one's home or workspace.
"She opened the door and waved her guests in with a smile."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To wave your hand in an inward direction — transparent and matching the literal image.
Actually means
To use your hand to signal to someone that they can come inside or come in.
Usage tip
Often used at checkpoints, entrances, or in traffic contexts where a person directing movement signals another to proceed inward. Also used in informal settings such as welcoming guests.
Words that pair with "wave in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
car visitor guest guard driver customer
How to conjugate "wave in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wave in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
waves in
he/she/it
Past simple
waved in
yesterday
Past participle
waved in
have + pp
-ing form
waving in
continuous
Hear "wave in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wave in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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