Distinguishing Between Wait and Weight: A Simple Guide

Wait vs. Weight

Today, we will learn about two words: wait and weight. They sound alike but have different meanings and uses.

History

The word wait comes from the Old French word “waitier,” which means to watch or guard. It has been used in English for a long time. The word weight has Old English roots and comes from “wiht,” which means heaviness or mass.

How to Use

Wait is a verb. It means to stay in one place until something happens.

Weight is a noun. It tells us how heavy something is.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think about this trick: “Wait” is a verb; you ‘wait’ for time to pass. “Weight” is something you ‘carry’.

Examples of “Wait”

• I wait for the bus every morning.
• Please wait here until I come back.
• We had to wait for an hour at the doctor’s office.
• Can you wait a moment before starting the movie?
• The dog waits for his owner to come home.

Examples of “Weight”

• The weight of the book is heavy.
• She wants to know her weight before the race.
• The box’s weight is too much for me to lift.
• They measure the baby’s weight every month.
• The weight of the snow made the tree branches bend.

Summary

Use wait when you talk about staying where you are until something happens. Use weight when you talk about how heavy something is. Remember, “wait” is for time, and “weight” is for heaviness.