'Waive' means to voluntarily give up a right; 'wave' means to greet with your hand, or an ocean wave.
"Waive" is a formal verb meaning to voluntarily give up a right, fee, or condition: "waive a fee", "waive your rights".
The bank agreed to waive the late fee since it was my first time.
You'll need to sign a form to waive your right to a lawyer.
The university waived the application fee for students in need.
"Wave" is a much more common verb or noun: to greet someone by moving your hand, or an ocean wave.
She waved at me from across the street.
The kids ran into the ocean to jump over the waves.
He gave a quick wave before getting into the taxi.
Common mistake
"Please wave your rights" (with "wave") is a common mistake in legal or formal texts: if you're giving up a right or fee, it's "waive" (with an "i"), not "wave" (to greet), which has nothing to do with rights.
Trick to remember it
"Waive" has an "I" like "I give it up". "Wave" is the everyday word for greeting or ocean waves, no "i" needed.
Quick rule
Are you formally giving up a right, fee, or condition? "Waive". Is it greeting with your hand, or an ocean wave? "Wave".
Did you know?
Despite sounding identical, "waive" and "wave" don't share an origin. "Wave" comes from Old English "wafian" (to move back and forth), related to the physical motion of water and hands. "Waive" comes from Old French "weyver" (to abandon, to give up), related to leaving something unclaimed, like abandoned property in medieval English law. They're homophones by pure coincidence, not shared history.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The landlord agreed to _____ the deposit since we're long-time tenants.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She stood on the balcony and _____ at the crowd below.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy