waive
C1Formal, Legal, Business
Definition
Meaning
to formally give up a right, claim, or requirement, or to not demand that it be fulfilled.
To choose not to apply a rule, fee, penalty, or condition in a particular instance; to refrain from insisting on or enforcing something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Waive" implies a deliberate, often formal, act of relinquishment by someone in authority. It is not simply 'to forget' or 'to ignore' but a conscious decision to forgo an entitlement or requirement. It often carries a sense of leniency or concession.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use "waiver" as the noun form. Spelling is identical. Slight frequency variation by context.
Connotations
Both carry the same formal, legalistic connotations. The word is strongly associated with contractual rights, legal procedures, and official policies.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American legal and administrative contexts, but common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + waive + Object (right/fee/requirement)Subject + waive + Object + in favour of + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “waive aside (to dismiss or ignore an objection)”
- “sign a waiver (to formally give up a right in writing)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The bank agreed to waive the monthly account fee for loyal customers.
Academic
The university may waive the language requirement for students with prior accredited study.
Everyday
The hotel manager waived the late checkout fee as a gesture of goodwill.
Technical
The defendant chose to waive his right to legal counsel during the initial hearing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council decided to waive the planning fee for the community centre.
- You must sign a document to waive your right to compensation.
American English
- The university will waive the application fee for veterans.
- By entering the competition, you waive any right to sue the organisers.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form derived from 'waive'; use phrasally: 'He spoke waivingly' is incorrect.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form derived from 'waive'; use phrasally: 'She agreed waivingly' is incorrect.)
adjective
British English
- The waived fee made the course accessible. (Past participle used adjectivally)
- A waived requirement is still technically a rule. (Past participle used adjectivally)
American English
- Only students with waived tuition can register early. (Past participle used adjectivally)
- The contract includes a waived liability clause. (Past participle used adjectivally)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The library waived the fine for my late book because I was ill.
- Can you waive the delivery charge for this large order?
- In order to expedite the process, the applicant chose to waive his right to a hearing.
- The landlord agreed to waive the last month's rent if we carried out minor repairs.
- The prosecutor indicated she might waive the more serious charges in return for a guilty plea on the lesser ones.
- Diplomatic immunity was formally waived, allowing the ambassador to be prosecuted under local law.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WAVE goodbye to your rights or fees – you're letting them go.
Conceptual Metaphor
RIGHTS/REQUIREMENTS ARE POSSESSIONS (that can be voluntarily handed over or let go).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как "махать" (to wave). Это ложный друг. Правильный концептуальный перевод: "отказываться (от права)", "освобождать (от оплаты/требования)".
- Различайте "waive" (сознательно отказаться от права) и "wave" (помахать, колебаться).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He waved his right to a lawyer. (Should be 'waived')
- Incorrect: The company waived aside our concerns. (Idiom is 'wave aside'; 'waive' does not take 'aside')
- Incorrect spelling: wave (when meaning 'give up').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'waive' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Waive' means to give up a right or requirement formally. 'Wave' means to move your hand or an object side to side, or a disturbance on water. They are homophones but have completely different meanings and spellings.
Rarely. It is primarily a formal word used in legal, administrative, and business contexts. In everyday speech, people are more likely to say 'not charge', 'let off', or 'drop'.
The noun form is 'waiver', which refers to the official document or act of waiving a right or requirement (e.g., 'You must sign a liability waiver before participating').
No, 'waive off' is an incorrect phrasal verb. The correct usage is simply 'waive a fee'. 'Wave off' means to signal someone to go away or to disregard something.