# waft

> English word · Verb · IPA /wɑft/ · frequency rank #61,208

## Definitions
1. To (cause to) float easily or gently through the air.
2. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float.
3. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon.

## Etymology
From Middle English waften, of uncertain origin. Possibly from unattested Old English *wafettan, from wafian (“to wave”) + -ettan, or perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch wachten (“to guard, provide for”).
See also German wabern (“to waft”), Faroese veiftra (“to wave”) and Icelandic váfa (“to fluctuate, waver, doubt”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/waft