Waive vs Wave: How to Tell Them Apart
To waive is to give up a right or a charge. To wave is to move your hand, or what the sea does.
They waived the fee. She waved from the platform.
The test that settles it
Ask whether something is being given up. Fees, rights, rules and requirements are waived. Hands, flags and water wave.
“the bank ___d the charge” → a charge given up, so waived.
“he ___d us through” → a hand signal, so waved.
Waive contains an i, and so does relinquish — the thing it means. Wave has no i, and neither does the sea.
Waive: to give up a claim
A legal and administrative verb: to decline to enforce a right, requirement or charge that you would be entitled to. Only rights and obligations can be waived.
The landlord waived the deposit.
She waived her right to appeal.
They agreed to waive the notice period.
Is a right, fee or rule being set aside? Then waive.
Wave: to move to and fro
To move your hand in greeting or signal, to flutter, or to move like water. As a noun it covers water, hair, radio and a surge of anything.
He waved goodbye.
Flags waved along the route.
a wave of cancellations
Is something moving, or is it a surge? Then wave.
Side by side
| Waive | Wave |
|---|---|
| Give up a right | Move to and fro |
| Legal and formal | Everyday |
| Takes rights and fees | Takes hands, flags, water |
| waive the fee | wave a hand |
The exceptions
A waiver is the document giving up a right. To waver is to hesitate or falter: his voice wavered. One letter apart, and neither has anything to do with the other — a waiver is signed, and a waverer cannot make up their mind.
You wave a car through a checkpoint with your hand, but you waive the requirement that would have stopped it. Both can appear in the same sentence, which is exactly why the pair is worth learning.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The university waved the application fee. | The university waived the application fee. | A charge given up. |
| He waived at me from across the road. | He waved at me from across the road. | A hand. |
| She signed a waver before the race. | She signed a waiver before the race. | The document. |
| His resolve never waivered. | His resolve never wavered. | To hesitate. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- The court ___ the remaining costs.
- The crowd ___ their scarves.
- All entrants must sign a ___.
- She never once ___ in her support.
- They agreed to ___ the deadline.
Show the answers
1. waived 2. waved 3. waiver 4. wavered 5. waive
Frequently asked
Can you waive a person?
No. Only rights, claims, fees and requirements can be waived. You wave a person through.
Is waiver or waver used for hesitation?
Waver, with no i after the a.
More words people confuse
