SKIP TO CONTENT

waver

/ˈweɪvər/
/ˈweɪvə/
IPA guide

Other forms: wavering; wavered; wavers

To waver is to move back and forth, like when you waver, one minute thinking you'll stay home, planning to go meet your friends the next, until you finally make your decision.

Waver comes from the Old English word wæfre, which means “restless.” When the wind blows, it makes the leaves and flowers waver, or move, in that same direction. A person who wavers is much the same — affected by any influence or change. He or she isn't sure what to do or may be too shy to express a preference until time is just about up and a decision must be made.

Definitions of waver
  1. verb
    pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
    synonyms: hesitate, waffle
    see moresee less
    types:
    boggle
    hesitate when confronted with a problem, or when in doubt or fear
    hover, linger
    linger or remain near a place
    hover, oscillate, vacillate, vibrate
    be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
    falter
    be unsure or weak
    shilly-shally, shillyshally
    hesitate or be unable to decide; go back and forth on
  2. verb
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
    synonyms: falter
    see moresee less
    type of:
    move
    move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
  3. verb
    be unsure or weak
    synonyms: falter
    see moresee less
    type of:
    hesitate, waffle
    pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
  4. verb
    give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
    synonyms: quaver
    see moresee less
    type of:
    sound, vocalise, vocalize, voice
    utter with vibrating vocal chords
  5. noun
    the act of pausing uncertainly
    see moresee less
    type of:
    pause
    temporary inactivity
  6. verb
    sway to and fro
    synonyms: weave
    see moresee less
    type of:
    sway, swing
    move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner
  7. verb
    move back and forth very rapidly
    synonyms: flicker, flitter, flutter, quiver
    see moresee less
    type of:
    move back and forth
    move in one direction and then into the opposite direction
  8. verb
    move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
    synonyms: fluctuate, vacillate
    fluctuate
    cause to fluctuate or move in a wavelike pattern
    see moresee less
    type of:
    swing
    alternate dramatically between high and low values
  9. noun
    the act of moving back and forth
    synonyms: flicker, flutter
    see moresee less
    type of:
    motility, motion, move, movement
    a change of position that does not entail a change of location
  10. noun
    someone who communicates by waving
    see moresee less
    type of:
    communicator
    a person who communicates with others
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘waver'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family