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Definition of waive

waive

/weɪv/
waive
Adjective:waivable
•
Past Simple:waived
•
Past Participle:waived
•
Present Participle:waiving
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waive Lexical Profile

waive Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To voluntarily refrain from insisting on or using a right, claim, or privilege.

Example

"The defendant agreed to waive his right to a jury trial in exchange for a faster hearing."

2

To refrain from applying or enforcing a rule, penalty, or fee.

Example

"The university decided to waive the application fee for students from low-income households."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for waive
Antonyms
View all antonyms for waive

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'waive' (to voluntarily give up a right, claim, or fee) with its homophone 'wave' (to move the hand to and fro in greeting or to undulate).

• Rhymes for waive

• Nearby Words

waitperson
waitress
waitstaff
waive
waiver
wakame
wakayama

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French 'weyver' (to abandon or relinquish), which is likely of Old Norse origin and related to 'veifa' (to fluctuate or swing about).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Waive. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/waive
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