wave to vs wave at

Both 'wave to' and 'wave at' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Wave to' is used when you are acknowledging someone's presence or greeting them from a distance. 'Wave at' is used when you are directing your wave towards a specific person or group of people.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 459 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"wave to"

Use 'wave to' when you want to acknowledge someone's presence or greet them from a distance. It implies a general gesture of waving without necessarily directing it at a specific person.

Examples:

She waved to her friend across the street.
He waved to the crowd before starting his speech.
I always wave to my neighbors when I see them outside.

Show examples from the web [+]

Meanwhile, I just stand and wave to people going to better places.
You can hang out the window and wave to the passing sailors.
You can also lean slightly into the wave to improve your speed.
Here's what you have to do: Paddle toward the wave to pick up more speed.
But I didn't wave to Zack in the hall.
The majestic airship lands gracefully as passengers wave to the awed spectators.
Baby, wave to Mommy and Daddy.
And when you wave to the crowd, keep your hand cupped.
And then Croc will buy a castle with a rooftop balcony where I can wave to my adoring fans wearing all my capes.
Did you just openly wave to my ex-boyfriend?
All you need to do is give a few speeches, wave to the crowds, and enjoy your time in the spotlight.
We have the same number of hands, but she has way more people to wave to.
You can play beach volleyball here, wave to the tourists on the Spree pleasure boats and linger to late enjoying the warm Berlin nights in luxuriously comfortable beach chairs.
Keep your board flat on the surface of the wave to reduce the drag.
Watch out for super powerups and make sure you score at least Bronze in each wave to advance to the next.
Now get up and wave to them judges!
Do you want to say goodbye to your grandmother and wave to the carriage?
Techniques used in landing loaded sea kayaks through surf generally involve following behind the crest of a wave to avoide broaching in following seas.
And so you wave to them... and acknowledge them gracefully.
Ms. Barrett, please wave to the detective.

Alternatives:

greet from afar
acknowledge with a wave
signal with a wave

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"wave at"

Use 'wave at' when you are directing your wave towards a specific person or group of people. It implies a more targeted gesture of waving.

Examples:

She waved at her friend to get her attention.
He waved at the children playing in the park.
They waved at us as we drove away.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't know. I might sit out in the front yard with a rake and wave at cars.
He was in the first wave at Omaha Beach.
Approaching Zhabinka, saw how fascist bombers a wave behind a wave at small height directed to Kobrin. Towards to them took off two small groups of our fighters.
Later that year, Gabeira surfed the biggest wave ever by a female when she successfully rode a 14 metres (46 ft) wave at Dungeons, a big-wave surf spot in South Africa.
I'll wave at you when you fly overr here.
They also got me on a fire truck to wave at people.
Look, it's got a balcony, I can wave at the crowds.
Not when he's six months behind on child support, but you're welcome to wave at him through the window.
I wonder if I should wave at the crowd?
So, I turn around to wave at my mom and my grandmother...
I saw your Husband passing when my red antique 1974 eldorado convertible Cadi was burning but could only wave at him as I was fighting the fire.
But I thought you liked to seat in the back to wave at your dad?
Both in Kobrinskom, and in Pruzhanskom destructive regiments there were about only 10-12 planes.Approaching Zhabinka, saw how fascist bombers a wave behind a wave at small height directed to Kobrin.
I'd see him around from time to time. I'd wave at him or his wife.
Go and wave at the engineer.
He swings like Dean, but he'll wave at anybody.
I'm seeing a magic stick that you wave at things.
All you could do is wave at it.
This is the first wave at Normandy.

Alternatives:

gesture a wave towards
signal with a wave at
wave in the direction of

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wave to vs wave at

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"wave at"

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