Waive-Wave | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Waive vs. Wave

Waive

/weɪv/
To give up a right or claim willingly

Examples:

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Wave

/weɪv/
A moving ridge on the surface of a liquid or an undulating motion; can also mean a gesture with the hand.

Examples:

Poirot waved his hand importantly.Here - heads, open mouths, arms waving branches.The waves grew taller and taller.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Waive has an i in it, just like in I give up, which is related to relinquishing a right.
  • Wave can be remembered with the motion of your hand; you make a wave shape when you greet someone.
  • Think of wave as part of the ocean or the gesture you make, which both involve movement.
  • A waive is more about legal terms and giving up rights, whereas a wave is all about greetings or patterns.
  • Keep in mind waive when you are talking about not enforcing something, like a fee or a right.
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