First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1waver
verb wa·ver \ˈwā-vər\
: to go back and forth between choices or opinions : to be uncertain about what you think about something or someone
: to move back and forth in an unsteady way
: to become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness, etc.
wa·veredwa·ver·ing \ˈwāv-riŋ, ˈwā-və-riŋ\
Full Definition of WAVER
intransitive verb
1
: to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction
2
3
: to give an unsteady sound : quaver
— wa·ver·er \ˈwā-və-rər\ noun
— wa·ver·ing·ly \ˈwāv-riŋ-lē, ˈwā-və-\ adverb
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Origin of WAVER
Middle English; akin to Old English wǣfre restless, wafian to wave with the hands — more at wave
Related to WAVER
Synonym Discussion of WAVER
swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the rope back and forth>. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms about>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing <hesitated before answering the question>. waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat <wavered in his support of the rebels>. vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision <vacillated until events were out of control>. falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear <never once faltered during her testimony>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing <hesitated before answering the question>. waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat <wavered in his support of the rebels>. vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision <vacillated until events were out of control>. falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear <never once faltered during her testimony>.
2waver
noun
3waver
noun wav·er \ˈwā-vər\
WAVERINGLY Defined for Kids
waver
verb wa·ver \ˈwā-vər\
wa·veredwa·ver·ing
Definition of WAVER for Kids
1
: to be uncertain in opinion
2
: to move unsteadily or to and fro
3
: to give an unsteady sound <The music of the flutes wavered … — Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat>
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