Waived vs Waved: Similarities, Differences, and Proper Use

When it comes to the English language, there are many words that sound alike but have different meanings. Two such words are waived and waved. While they may sound similar, they have distinct meanings and uses.

So, which of the two is the proper word to use in a given situation? The answer depends on the context.

Generally speaking, waived means to give up a right or claim voluntarily. For example, a person may waive their right to remain silent during a police interrogation. On the other hand, waved means to move back and forth or up and down, often in a greeting or farewell gesture. For example, someone may wave goodbye to a friend as they depart.

Throughout this article, we will explore the differences between waived and waved in more detail, including their origins, uses, and common mistakes to avoid.

Define Waived

Waived is a verb that means to give up or relinquish a right or claim to something. It is often used in legal contexts, such as when a defendant waives their right to a trial by jury or when a party waives their right to appeal a decision. In other contexts, it can refer to the act of forgoing a fee or charge, such as when a bank waives a late payment fee for a customer.

Define Waved

Waved is a verb that means to move something back and forth in a sweeping motion, often with the hand or an object. It can also refer to the act of signaling or greeting someone by making a waving motion. For example, a person might wave goodbye to a friend as they leave or wave to get the attention of someone across the room. In some contexts, waved can also be used as an adjective to describe something that has a wavy or undulating shape, such as waved glass or a waved edge on a piece of furniture.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to English grammar, it’s important to know the proper usage of words to avoid confusion and miscommunication. In this section, we will discuss how to use “waived” and “waved” in a sentence.

How To Use “Waived” In A Sentence

“Waived” is a verb that means to give up or relinquish a right or claim. Here are some examples of how to use “waived” in a sentence:

• The athlete waived his right to compete in the championship.
• The company waived the fee for the first month of service.
• The landlord waived the late fee for the tenant.

As you can see, “waived” is often used in legal or formal contexts to indicate the voluntary surrender of a right or claim.

How To Use “Waved” In A Sentence

“Waved” is a verb that means to move something back and forth or up and down, often with the hand. Here are some examples of how to use “waved” in a sentence:

• The flag was waved at the start of the race.
• The child waved goodbye to his friends as they left.
• The teacher waved her hand to get the students’ attention.

As you can see, “waved” is often used to describe a physical motion or gesture, and is commonly used in everyday conversation.

Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used, as they can have very different meanings depending on the situation. With this knowledge, you can confidently use “waived” and “waved” in your writing and speech.

More Examples Of Waived & Waved Used In Sentences

In order to gain a better understanding of the difference between waived and waved, it can be helpful to see these words used in context. Here are some examples of how these words might be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Waived In A Sentence

• The bank waived the overdraft fee for the customer.
• The athlete waived his right to compete in the upcoming tournament.
• The landlord waived the late fee for the tenant.
• The company waived the requirement for a college degree for this position.
• The government waived the visa requirement for citizens of certain countries.
• The judge waived the defendant’s right to a jury trial.
• The professor waived the attendance requirement for the last week of class.
• The lender waived the prepayment penalty for the borrower.
• The team waived the injured player from the roster.
• The company waived the non-compete clause in the employee’s contract.

Examples Of Using Waved In A Sentence

• The flag was waved during the national anthem.
• The conductor waved his baton to cue the musicians.
• The child waved to her parents from the school bus.
• The fan waved a foam finger in support of the team.
• The teacher waved goodbye to the students at the end of the day.
• The officer waved the car through the checkpoint.
• The singer waved to the crowd after the concert.
• The dancer waved her arms gracefully during the performance.
• The referee waved off the goal due to a penalty.
• The pilot waved to the passengers as they disembarked from the plane.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

One of the most common mistakes people make when using the words waived and waved is using them interchangeably. While these words may sound similar, they have completely different meanings and should not be used in place of one another.

Using Waived Instead Of Waved

One mistake people often make is using the word waived when they actually mean waved. Waived means to give up or relinquish a right or claim, while waved means to move one’s hand back and forth in greeting or farewell. For example, if someone waves at you, they are greeting you or saying goodbye, while if someone waives their right to something, they are giving up that right.

Using waived instead of waved can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, especially in legal or business contexts where the correct use of language is crucial. To avoid this mistake, it’s important to remember the difference between these two words and use them appropriately in the right context.

Using Waved Instead Of Waived

Another common mistake people make is using the word waved instead of waived. This mistake is particularly common when referring to fees or charges that have been waived. When a fee is waived, it means it has been cancelled or forgiven, while when something is waved, it means it has been moved back and forth in a waving motion.

To avoid this mistake, it’s important to remember that waived and waved have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably. If you’re referring to a fee that has been cancelled or forgiven, use the word waived instead of waved.

Tips To Avoid Confusing Waived And Waved

Here are some tips to help you avoid confusing waived and waved:

• Remember that waived means to give up or relinquish a right or claim, while waved means to move one’s hand back and forth in greeting or farewell.
• If you’re referring to a fee that has been cancelled or forgiven, use the word waived instead of waved.
• Double-check your writing to make sure you’re using the correct word in the right context.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and accurate.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “waived” and “waved,” context is key. The meanings of these two words are quite different, and selecting the correct one can make a big difference in the clarity of your writing. Here are some examples of how the choice between waived and waved might change depending on the context:

Legal Context

In a legal context, the word “waived” is often used to refer to a person giving up their right to something. For example, a defendant might waive their right to a trial by jury. In this context, “waved” would be incorrect and could lead to confusion. On the other hand, the word “waved” might be used to describe a physical action, such as a lawyer waving a document in court to draw attention to it.

Sports Context

In a sports context, the word “waived” is often used to refer to a player being released from a team. For example, a basketball team might waive a player who is not performing well. In this context, “waved” would be incorrect and could lead to confusion. On the other hand, the word “waved” might be used to describe a celebratory gesture made by a player or fan, such as waving a flag or banner.

Technology Context

In a technology context, the word “waived” might be used to refer to a fee or charge being waived, such as a bank waiving an overdraft fee for a customer. In this context, “waved” would be incorrect and could lead to confusion. On the other hand, the word “waved” might be used to describe a motion made to activate a motion sensor or touchless control feature, such as waving your hand in front of a smartphone to answer a call.

As you can see, the choice between “waived” and “waved” can depend greatly on the context in which they are used. It’s important to carefully consider the meaning of each word and select the one that best fits the situation to ensure clear and effective communication.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using waived and waved are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Here are some cases where the standard rules may not apply:

1. Medical Terminology

In medical terminology, the word “waived” is often used to indicate a test or procedure that has been exempted from certain regulatory requirements. For example, a “waived test” may be a simple diagnostic test that can be performed by non-medical personnel without the need for extensive training or certification. In this context, “waved” would not be an appropriate alternative.

2. Nautical Language

In nautical language, the word “waved” can be used to describe the motion of a ship or boat as it moves through the water. For example, a ship may be said to have “waved” through the waves. In this context, “waived” would not be a suitable replacement.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

There are several idiomatic expressions in English that use the word “wave” in a non-literal sense. For example, “to wave something off” means to dismiss or reject it, while “to wave the white flag” means to surrender. In these cases, “waived” would not be a proper substitute.

4. Regional Variations

It’s worth noting that there may be regional variations in the usage of waived vs waved. For example, in some parts of the United States, the two words may be used interchangeably in certain contexts. However, it’s generally best to stick to the standard rules of usage to ensure clear communication.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of waived and waved is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises that can help you become more confident in using these two words correctly.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (waived or waved) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The referee _______ offside, and the goal was disallowed.
2. The bank _______ the overdraft fee for the customer.
3. She _______ goodbye to her friends as she left the party.
4. The teacher _______ the late homework assignments.
5. The politician _______ his right to a fair trial.

Answer Key:

1. waved
2. waived
3. waved
4. waived
5. waived

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word

Read each sentence below and identify whether the correct word is waived or waved:

Sentence	Correct Word
The lawyer _______ the client’s right to a fair trial.	waived
She _______ to her friend from across the room.	waved
The company _______ the late fee for the customer.	waived
He _______ his hand in the air to get the waiter’s attention.	waved
The judge _______ the defendant’s right to an attorney.	waived

Explanation: In each of these sentences, the correct word is either waived or waved. By practicing identifying the correct word in context, you can improve your understanding of when to use each word.

By practicing these exercises, you can become more confident in using waived and waved correctly in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that understanding the difference between “waived” and “waved” is important for effective communication. Here are the key takeaways:

Waived

• Means to give up a right or claim
• Often used in legal or financial contexts
• Can also refer to a fee or charge being waived

Waved

• Means to make a gesture with the hand
• Used to greet someone or signal something
• Can also refer to an object moving back and forth, such as a flag

Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. By taking the time to learn the difference, you can communicate more effectively and avoid embarrassing mistakes.

Remember, language is constantly evolving and there is always more to learn. Keep exploring and expanding your knowledge of grammar and language use!