Etymology Map
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Wait

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means to stay where one is until something happens

Where does the word "wait" come from? It comes from Frankish wahta, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
wahta
Frankish · ancient
"watch, guard"
a Frankish word related to 'wake' and 'watch'
2
Stage 2 of 3
waitier
Old French · medieval
"to watch, lie in ambush"
Norman French form of Parisian 'guaitier'
3
Stage 3 of 3
wait
English · 1200s
"to watch; to lie in wait"
'waiter' for a restaurant server dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Wait’s story begins in Frankish: wahta meant “watch, guard.” A Frankish word related to 'wake' and 'watch'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as waitier. Norman French form of Parisian 'guaitier'. It reached English by 1200s as wait. 'waiter' for a restaurant server dates from the 1600s. Today, wait means to stay where one is until something happens.