Ask Difference

Waive vs. Wave — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 10, 2023
"Waive" means to voluntarily abstain from something, while "wave" refers to a moving pattern or a hand gesture. Both words, though homophones, vastly differ in usage and meaning.

Difference Between Waive and Wave

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Key Differences

While "Waive" and "Wave" share phonetic similarities, they diverge sharply in meaning and application. "Waive" is a verb that entails the voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some known right or privilege, frequently used in legal and official contexts. "Wave," conversely, can be both a noun and a verb, referring to a moving pattern in its noun form and the act of moving one's hand to and fro in its verb form, often utilized in various contexts including natural phenomena and human gestures.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023
Observing colloquial language, "Waive" may not find frequent usage due to its formal and specific nature, perhaps being replaced by synonymous words or phrases in informal dialogue. On the other hand, "Wave" comfortably nestles into colloquial usage, from describing physical motions to metaphorically illustrating fluctuating patterns in data or trends, demonstrating its adaptability and wide-reaching application across various contexts.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023
Within legal and official documentation, "Waive" commonly surfaces as a term indicative of foregoing a certain right, claim, or privilege. For example, one might waive their right to legal representation in certain contexts. Contrarily, "Wave" does not navigate through legalities or officialities but is rather entrenched in descriptions of motion or movement, such as waves in the ocean or waving a hand in greeting or farewell.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023
In a casual or everyday setting, "Waive" might not be as prevalently used due to its specific, formal connotation, yet it could appear in instances where one forgoes a fee or requirement. "Wave," however, is an everyday word, describing a familiar, friendly gesture when one person greets another, as in waving hello or goodbye, or illustrating rhythmic motions in nature, as seen in the undulating movement of sea waves.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023
From a grammatical lens, "Waive" retains its verb status, unable to transform into a different part of speech. In contrast, "Wave" demonstrates more grammatical flexibility, easily transitioning between a noun and verb. Thus, while "waive" might be somewhat restricted in its applications, "wave" provides a wide array of descriptive possibilities ranging from the physical action of waving to the gentle motion of grass waving in the breeze.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Always a verb
Can be both a noun and a verb
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Usage Context

Legal, formal, or official
Various, including physical and metaphorical
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Commonality in Language

Less common in casual conversation
Frequently used in various contexts
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Meaning

To voluntarily forego or relinquish
To move to and fro or a moving pattern
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Application

Specific, often pertaining to rights or claims
Diverse, from greetings to describing patterns
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023
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Definitions

Waive

Waive refers to the act of relinquishing a right or claim.
She decided to waive her right to a lawyer.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Wave signifies a surge or rush of a particular condition or feeling.
A wave of nostalgia washed over her while looking at old photographs.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Waive

Waive implies foregoing or giving up voluntarily.
He chose to waive his annual bonus.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

In physics, mathematics, and related fields, a wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from equilibrium) of one or more quantities, sometimes as described by a wave equation. In physical waves, at least two field quantities in the wave medium are involved.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

Waive involves dismissing or setting aside a demand.
They opted to waive the late fee due to exceptional circumstances.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal
He waved to me from the train
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

Waive means to disregard an existing rule or requirement.
The university chose to waive the application fee for certain students.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Move to and fro with a swaying motion while remaining fixed to one point
The flag waved in the wind
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

Waive signifies abandoning or dispensing with something formally.
The committee agreed to waive the age restriction for the candidate.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Style (hair) so that it curls slightly
Her hair had been carefully waved for the evening
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

Refrain from insisting on or using (a right or claim)
He will waive all rights to the money
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore
He was swept out to sea by a freak wave
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To give up (a claim or right, for example) voluntarily; relinquish.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A sudden occurrence of or increase in a phenomenon, feeling, or emotion
Fear came over me in waves
A wave of strikes had paralysed the government
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To refrain from insisting on or enforcing (a rule, penalty, or requirement, for example); dispense with
"The original ban on private trading had long since been waived" (William L. Schurz).
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A gesture or signal made by moving one's hand to and fro
He gave a little wave and walked off
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To refrain from engaging in, sometimes temporarily; cancel or postpone
Let's waive our discussion of that problem.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A slightly curling lock of hair
His hair was drying in unruly waves
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

(Sports) To place (a player) on waivers.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A periodic disturbance of the particles of a substance which may be propagated without net movement of the particles, such as in the passage of undulating motion, heat, or sound.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To relinquish (a right etc.); to give up claim to; to forgo.
If you waive the right to be silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A member of the women's reserve of the US Navy, organized during World War II, but now no longer a separate branch.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

(particularly) To relinquish claim on a payment or fee which would otherwise be due.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A ridge or swell moving through or along the surface of a large body of water.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To put aside, avoid.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A small ridge or swell moving across the interface of two fluids and dependent on surface tension.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

(obsolete) To outlaw (someone).
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Often waves The sea
Vanished beneath the waves.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

(obsolete) To abandon, give up (someone or something).
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A moving curve or succession of curves in or on a surface; an undulation
Waves of wheat in the wind.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

(obsolete) To move from side to side; to sway.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A curve or succession of curves, as in the hair.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To stray, wander.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A curved shape, outline, or pattern.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

A woman put out of the protection of the law; an outlawed woman.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A movement up and down or back and forth
A wave of the hand.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

(obsolete) A waif; a castaway.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A surge or rush, as of sensation
A wave of nausea.
A wave of indignation.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

A waif; a castaway.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A sudden great rise, as in activity or intensity
A wave of panic selling on the stock market.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To relinquish; to give up claim to; not to insist on or claim; to refuse; to forego.
He waiveth milk, and flesh, and all.
We absolutely do renounce or waive our own opinions, absolutely yielding to the direction of others.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A rising trend that involves large numbers of individuals
A wave of conservatism.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To throw away; to cast off; to reject; to desert.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

One of a succession of mass movements
The first wave of settlers.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To throw away; to relinquish voluntarily, as a right which one may enforce if he chooses.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A maneuver in which fans at a sports event simulate an ocean wave by rising quickly in sequence with arms upraised and then quickly sitting down again in a continuous rolling motion.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

To turn aside; to recede.
To waive from the word of Solomon.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A widespread, persistent meteorological condition, especially of temperature
A heat wave.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

Do without or cease to hold or adhere to;
We are dispensing with formalities
Relinquish the old ideas
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A disturbance that travels through a medium. Energy is transferred by a wave from one region of the medium to another without causing any permanent displacement of the medium.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Waive

Lose or lose the right to by some error, offense, or crime
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A graphic representation of the variation of such a disturbance with time.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A single cycle of a periodic wave.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To move freely back and forth or up and down in the air, as branches in the wind.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To make a signal with an up-and-down or back-and-forth movement of the hand or an object held in the hand
Waved as she drove by.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To have an undulating or wavy form; curve or curl
Her hair waves naturally.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To cause to move back and forth or up and down, either once or repeatedly
She waved a fan before her face.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To move or swing as in giving a signal
He waved his hand.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To signal or express by waving the hand or an object held in the hand
We waved goodbye.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To signal (a person) by using the hand to move in a specified direction
The police officer waved the motorist into the right lane.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To arrange into curves, curls, or undulations
Wave one's hair.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(intransitive) To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.
The flag waved in the gentle breeze.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(intransitive) To move one’s hand back and forth (generally above the shoulders) in greeting or departure.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to signal; to indicate.
I waved goodbye from across the room.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(intransitive) To have an undulating or wavy form.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(transitive) To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form or surface to.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(transitive) To produce waves to the hair.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To swing and miss at a pitch.
Jones waves at strike one.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(transitive) To cause to move back and forth repeatedly.
The starter waved the flag to begin the race.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To signal (someone or something) with a waving movement.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To generate a wave.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Obsolete spelling of waive
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A moving disturbance in the level of a body of liquid; an undulation.
The wave traveled from the center of the lake before breaking on the shore.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(poetic) The ocean.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(physics) A moving disturbance in the energy level of a field.
Gravity waves, while predicted by theory for decades, have been notoriously difficult to detect.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A shape that alternatingly curves in opposite directions.
Her hair had a nice wave to it.
Sine wave
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Any of a number of species of moths in the geometrid subfamily Sterrhinae, which have wavy markings on the wings.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A loose back-and-forth movement, as of the hands.
He dismissed her with a wave of the hand.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(figuratively) A sudden, but temporary, uptick in something.
A wave of shoppers stampeded through the door when the store opened for its Christmas discount special.
A wave of retirees began moving to the coastal area.
A wave of emotion overcame her when she thought about her son who was killed in battle.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

One of the successive swarms of enemies sent to attack the player in certain games.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(usually "the wave") A group activity in a crowd imitating a wave going through water, where people in successive parts of the crowd stand and stretch upward, then sit.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

See Waive.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To play loosely; to move like a wave, one way and the other; to float; to flutter; to undulate.
His purple robes waved careless to the winds.
Where the flags of three nations has successively waved.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To be moved to and fro as a signal.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state; to vacillate.
He waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To move one way and the other; to brandish.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form a surface to.
Horns whelked and waved like the enridged sea.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to signal; to indicate.
Look, with what courteous actionIt waves you to a more removed ground.
She spoke, and bowing wavedDismissal.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as of the sea, resulting from the oscillatory motion of the particles composing it when disturbed by any force their position of rest; an undulation.
The wave behind impels the wave before.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A vibration propagated from particle to particle through a body or elastic medium, as in the transmission of sound; an assemblage of vibrating molecules in all phases of a vibration, with no phase repeated; a wave of vibration; an undulation. See Undulation.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Water; a body of water.
Build a ship to save thee from the flood,I 'll furnish thee with fresh wave, bread, and wine.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Unevenness; inequality of surface.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A waving or undulating motion; a signal made with the hand, a flag, etc.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

The undulating line or streak of luster on cloth watered, or calendered, or on damask steel.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Something resembling or likened to a water wave, as in rising unusually high, in being of unusual extent, or in progressive motion; a swelling or excitement, as of feeling or energy; a tide; flood; period of intensity, usual activity, or the like; as, a wave of enthusiasm; waves of applause.
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

One of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A movement like that of an ocean wave;
A wave of settlers
Troops advancing in waves
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

(physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Something that rises rapidly;
A wave of emotion swept over him
There was a sudden wave of buying before the market closed
A wave of conservatism in the country led by the hard right
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

The act of signaling by a movement of the hand
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A hairdo that creates undulations in the hair
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

An undulating curve
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A persistent and widespread unusual weather condition (especially of unusual temperatures)
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

A member of the women's reserve of the United States Navy; originally organized during World War II but now no longer a separate branch
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Signal with the hands or nod;
She waved to her friends
He waved his hand hospitably
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Move or swing back and forth;
She waved her gun
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion;
The curtains undulated
The waves rolled towards the beach
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Twist or roll into coils or ringlets;
Curl my hair, please
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Set waves in;
She asked the hairdresser to wave her hair
Fiza Rafique
Jun 15, 2019

Wave

Wave, as a verb, implies moving one’s hand to and fro.
She raised her hand to wave goodbye.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Wave, as a noun, refers to a moving pattern or swell, often in water.
The boat bobbed over the large ocean wave.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Wave means to signal by moving a hand.
He saw her across the street and gave a wave.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Wave

Wave can refer to a pattern of fluctuation or variation.
The graph showed a wave of rising and falling temperatures.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

FAQs

Can Wave be used in a legal context to mean relinquishing rights?

No, "wave" typically refers to a physical or metaphorical movement, not foregoing rights.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

How is Waive commonly used?

"Waive" is often used in formal contexts to mean relinquishing a right or claim.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Does Wave always pertain to physical movement?

No, "wave" can also describe non-physical patterns, like a wave of emotions.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Is Waive a flexible word in language use?

Less so, "waive" is typically rigid, mostly used as a verb in specific contexts.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Is Waive used to depict hand movement?

No, "waive" refers to forsaking or renouncing something, not a physical movement.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Can Wave be a noun and a verb?

Yes, "wave" can describe a moving pattern (noun) or the act of moving to and fro (verb).
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Can Waive be used metaphorically?

Rarely, "waive" typically sticks to its literal meaning of foregoing something.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Can Wave imply surrendering a right?

No, "wave" doesn't imply relinquishing rights. That would be "waive."
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Is Waive suitable for casual conversation?

"Waive" might appear less in casual talk due to its formal, specific connotations.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Is Waive common in legal documents?

Yes, "waive" is often used legally to signify the relinquishment of a right or claim.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Can I use Wave to imply foregoing a fee?

No, "wave" doesn’t pertain to foregoing or relinquishing something, that’s "waive."
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Is Waive used to describe something in motion?

No, "waive" pertains to foregoing something, not describing motion like "wave."
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Is Wave specific to water movement?

No, while it can describe water movement, "wave" is also used in various other contexts.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Can Waive describe a pattern?

No, "waive" does not describe patterns, unlike "wave" which can.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Can I describe a hand movement with Waive?

No, "waive" does not pertain to physical movements. Use "wave" instead.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 10, 2023

Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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