wave

To move repeatedly from side to side, especially your hand to say hello or goodbye.

• She waved at me.
• Flags waved in the warm breeze.
• He waved his hand from the train window.

How to use it: wave at/to someone (The children waved to their teacher.)

Common phrases: wave your hand, wave at someone, wave to someone, wave in wind

To move your hand to send a message or tell someone where to go.

• He waved goodbye.
• The driver waved us across the road.
• She waved me over to her desk.

How to use it: wave someone through (The guard waved us through the gate.); wave someone over (She waved the waiter over to our table.); wave someone away (The officer waved people away from the damaged bridge.)

Similar words: signal, beckon

Common phrases: wave someone through, wave someone over, wave goodbye, wave someone away

To swing a baseball bat at a thrown ball and miss it.

• He waved at the pitch.
• Two batters waved at her curveball.
• The rookie keeps waving at low pitches.

How to use it: wave at a pitch (The batter waved at a fastball outside the strike zone.)

Similar words: swing and miss

Common phrases: wave at something, wave at pitches

A raised line of water that moves across the sea or a lake.

• A wave hit the boat.
• We watched the waves breaking on the beach.
• The wind made huge waves during the night.

Common phrases: big wave, ocean wave, wave breaks, wave hits

A shape with smooth curves that bend one way and then the other, especially in hair.

• Her hair has a gentle wave.
• The curtain’s pattern forms a series of waves.
• He brushed his hair to bring out its natural waves.

Similar words: undulation

Common phrases: natural wave, gentle wave, wave in hair