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wai

British  
/ ˈwɑːiː /

noun

  1. water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wai

Māori

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If you want, you can offer an alternative gesture of greeting, which could range from a fist bump, an elbow bump, a namaste gesture or the wai gesture of Thailand.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2021

The World Wide Fund for Nature in Hong Kong operates 21 gei wai in the reserve.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2018

These wai mai, or take-out, drivers symbolize China’s transformation from a poor society dedicated to manufacturing to a more affluent one driven by consumption.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2016

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, forward Shinji Okazaki and manager Claudio Ranieri were among those who posed for photos and greeted Thai fans with the traditional Buddhist gesture of a wai.

From Time • May 18, 2016

While I wai thinking, Auri peeked at me through the curtain of her hair.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss