What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Tarry vs Await - What's the difference?

tarry | await | Synonyms |

Tarry is a synonym of await.


In lang=en terms the difference between tarry and await

is that tarry is to wait for; to stay or stop for; to allow to linger while await is to wait; to stay in waiting.

As verbs the difference between tarry and await

is that tarry is to delay; to be late or tardy in beginning or doing anything while await is (formal) to wait for.

As nouns the difference between tarry and await

is that tarry is a sojourn while await is (label) a waiting for; ambush.

As an adjective tarry

is resembling tar.

tarry

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (Scotland)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) tarien, .

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To delay; to be late or tardy in beginning or doing anything.
    • It is true that the Messiah will come, though he may tarry . ( Hitchens quoting translated Maimonides)
  • To linger in expectation of something or until something is done or happens.
  • To abide, stay or wait somewhere, especially if longer than planned.
  • To stay somewhere temporarily; to sojourn.
  • To wait for; to stay or stop for; to allow to linger.
  • * Shakespeare
    • He that will have a cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the grinding.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • He plodded on, tarrying no further question.
    Synonyms
    * (stay or wait, especially longer than planned ): hang about, hang around, linger, loiter * (stay somewhere temporarily ): sojourn, stay, stay over, stop, stop over

    Noun

    (tarries)
  • A sojourn.
    • Synonyms
    * (sojourn ): stay, stop, stop-over

    Etymology 2

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Resembling tar.
  • Covered with tar.
    • Synonyms
    * (resembling tar) pitchy * (covered with tar) bituminized (treated with tar ), pitchy

    References

    * * English heteronyms

    await

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (formal) To wait for.
  • * Milton
    • Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat, / Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.}}
  • To expect.
  • To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for.
  • * 1900 , , (The House Behind the Cedars) , Chapter I,
    • Standing foursquare in the heart of the town, at the intersection of the two main streets, a "jog" at each street corner left around the market-house a little public square, which at this hour was well occupied by carts and wagons from the country and empty drays awaiting hire.
  • * Milton
    • O Eve, some farther change awaits us nigh.
  • To wait on, serve or attend.
  • To watch, observe.
  • To wait (on or upon).
  • To wait; to stay in waiting.

    • Synonyms

    * (wait for) wait for, anticipate, listen (of a sound)

    Usage notes

    * As await means to wait for'', it is not followed by "for". ''*I am awaiting for your reply is therefore incorrect.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (label) A waiting for; ambush.
  • (label) Watching, watchfulness, suspicious observation.
  • *, Book VII:
  • *:Also, madame, syte you well that there be many men spekith of oure love in this courte, and have you and me gretely in awayte , as thes Sir Aggravayne and Sir Mordred.
  • *1596 , (Edmund Spenser), (The Faerie Queene) , VI.6:
  • *:For all that night, the whyles the Prince did rest […] He watcht in close awayt with weapons prest […].

    • References