Cool MateDelay vs Waiting
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delay
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Waiting
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Delay | Waiting | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈleɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈleɪ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈweɪtɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈweɪtɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To make something happen later than planned. | staying in one place until something happens |
| Example | Due to the heavy traffic, there was a significant delay in our arrival time. | I am waiting for the bus to arrive. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | considerable, enormous, lengthy, series, be subject to, be plagued by, encounter, occur, without delay, delay in, delay of, considerable, enormous, lengthy, series, be subject to, be plagued by, encounter, occur, without delay, delay in, delay of | waiting for someone, waiting in line, waiting on a decision |
| Antonyms | advance, hasten, expedite | rushing, hurrying |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'delay' with 'defer' — 'defer' is often more formal., Using 'delayed' incorrectly in tense — check verb forms for accuracy., Overusing 'delay' in casual speech when simpler options like 'wait' are available. | Using the wrong preposition, like 'waiting to' instead of 'waiting for', Confusing 'wait for' with 'wait on', Overusing in formal contexts where 'await' is more appropriate |
| Usage notes | Use 'delay' when referring to postponing events or actions. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'wait' might suffice. | Commonly used in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; instead, you might use 'pending' or 'awaiting'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delay vs Waiting
What's the difference between Delay and Waiting?
Delay: To make something happen later than planned. Waiting: staying in one place until something happens
Can you show an example of each?
Delay: Due to the heavy traffic, there was a significant delay in our arrival time. Waiting: I am waiting for the bus to arrive.
Can I use Delay and Waiting interchangeably?
Not always. Delay and Waiting are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.