Waive vs. Wave
“Waive” means voluntarily give up, forgo, or refrain from enforcing a right, fee, rule, or requirement. “Wave” usually means move the hand or something else back and forth, or describes a moving ridge or surge.
Use “waive” when giving up or not enforcing a right, fee, or requirement; use “wave” for the movement or the ordinary noun senses of wave.
Key details
Further guidance
Core difference
“Waive” concerns relinquishing or not insisting on something; “wave” concerns movement or the noun senses associated with waves.
Usage Boundary
The familiar phrase is “waive the fee,” not “wave the fee,” unless the sentence literally describes moving something called a fee.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- waive — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meaning of waive as voluntarily giving up or not insisting on a right, requirement, or claim
- wave — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meanings of wave including moving the hand or moving back and forth