A2noun 1K

Wave

🇬🇧 UK /["/weɪv/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/weɪv/"]/

Meaning of Wave

a raised line of water that moves across the surface of the sea, ocean, etc.

In simple words: To move your hand back and forth to greet someone or say goodbye.

Wave in a sentence

• The wave crashed onto the shore, creating a beautiful splash.
• She gave me a friendly wave as she walked by.
• The surfer rode the big wave with skill and grace.
• A wave of excitement swept through the crowd when the band started playing.
• He felt a wave of sadness when he heard the news.

How to use Wave

Used in both formal and informal contexts to greet or acknowledge someone. Avoid when expressing strong emotions, like anger; that context might use 'waving your arms' in a different sense.

Grammar pattern

wave + object (e.g. 'wave your hand')

Memory hint

Think of a 'wave' like a friendly hand moving like the ocean waves.

Related words

Collocations with Wave

• big
• enormous
• giant
• ride
• surf
• catch
• rise
• break
• fall
• energy
• power
• in the waves
• on the waves
• the crash of the waves
• the crashing of the waves
• the lap of the waves
• acoustic
• electromagnetic
• gravitational
• emit
• generate
• deflect
• travel
• bounce off something
• quick
• little
• slight
• give (somebody)
• return
• with a wave
• wave of
• big
• enormous
• great
• send
• cause
• create
• sweep something
• sweep over something
• wash over somebody/​something
• wave of
• on a wave

Synonyms for Wave

• greet
• sign
• beckon

Opposites of Wave

• ignore
• snub

Common mistakes with Wave

• Confused with 'waver', which means to hesitate.
• Using 'waved' instead of 'wave' in present tense contexts.
• Not understanding that it can also refer to water motions.

Frequently asked questions about Wave

What does Wave mean?

To move your hand back and forth to greet someone or say goodbye.

What is the definition of Wave?

a raised line of water that moves across the surface of the sea, ocean, etc.

How do you use Wave in a sentence?

The wave crashed onto the shore, creating a beautiful splash.

Can you give another example of Wave?

She gave me a friendly wave as she walked by.

What are synonyms for Wave?

Common alternatives include greet, sign, beckon.

What is the opposite of Wave?

Opposite meanings include ignore, snub.

What words go with Wave?

It commonly pairs with big, enormous, giant, ride, surf, catch, rise, break, fall, energy, power, in the waves, on the waves, the crash of the waves, the crashing of the waves, the lap of the waves, acoustic, electromagnetic, gravitational, emit, generate, deflect, travel, bounce off something, quick, little, slight, give (somebody), return, with a wave, wave of, big, enormous, great, send, cause, create, sweep something, sweep over something, wash over somebody/​something, wave of, on a wave.

What are common mistakes when using Wave?

Confused with 'waver', which means to hesitate. Using 'waved' instead of 'wave' in present tense contexts. Not understanding that it can also refer to water motions.

How do you pronounce Wave?

US: /["/weɪv/"]/, UK: /["/weɪv/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Wave?

Used in both formal and informal contexts to greet or acknowledge someone. Avoid when expressing strong emotions, like anger; that context might use 'waving your arms' in a different sense.

What CEFR level is Wave?

"Wave" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.