waver Meaning & Definition
What Does Waver Mean?
As a verb, waver means to vacillate irresolutely between choices. It is also used to mean to weave or sway unsteadily to and fro. As a noun, it means an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering. As a noun, it means one that waves.
Waver: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈwā-vər/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | falter, flutter and quiver |
| Antonyms | dive (in), plunge (in) and decide |
| Plural | wavers |
| Verb forms | wavers, wavering, wavered |
Waver Definition (Verb)
- to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction
- to weave or sway unsteadily to and fro : reel, totter
- quiver, flicker
wavering flames
- to hesitate as if about to give way : falter
- to give an unsteady sound : quaver
Waver as a Noun
- an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering
Noun
- one that waves
Synonyms of Waver
Antonyms of Waver
Waver in a Sentence
Flowers wavered in the breeze.
Despite all the terrible things that happened to her, she never wavered from her beliefs.
His voice wavered when the reporter brought up the controversial topic.
I felt encouraged by all the enthusiastic wavers in the crowd.
The Fourth of July brings out all the flag wavers.
Johnny is such a little waver; everyone who passes by receives his preferred greeting.
wavering flames
he's still wavering about whether to take the job
the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over
Word Forms & Grammar
wa·vered
wa·ver·ing
wa·ver·er noun
wa·ver·ing·ly adverb
waver
wavered
waverer
waverers
wavering
waveringly
wavers
waver (third-person singular simple present wavers, present participle wavering, simple past and past participle wavered)
waver (plural wavers)
Words That Rhyme With Waver
Origin of Waver
Origin 1: Middle English; akin to Old English wǣfre restless, wafian to wave with the hands wave
Origin 2: The verb is derived from Middle English waveren (“to move back and forth, swing; to move unsteadily, totter; to shake, tremble; to wander; (figurative) to be changeable or unstable; to deviate”),[1] and then possibly:[2]
Origin 3: both from Proto-Germanic *webaną (“to weave”), from Proto-Indo-European *webʰ- (“to braid, weave”). Doublet of wave.
Origin 4: The noun is derived from the verb.[4]
Origin 5: From wave (verb) + -er (suffix forming agent nouns).[5]
First Known Use
14th century
1519
1835
How to Pronounce Waver
The standard pronunciation of waver is /ˈwā-vər/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (wā).
Questions People Ask About Waver
Is waver a verb or a noun?
Waver is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for waver?
Words with a similar meaning to waver include falter, flutter and quiver. See the full list of waver synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of waver?
The opposite of waver can be expressed with words like dive (in), plunge (in), decide and budge.
What is the plural of waver?
The plural of waver is wavers.
What is the past tense of waver?
The past tense of waver is wavered. The present participle is wavering.