Meaning & use
signing a waiver
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The act of writing your name on a document to officially give up a legal right or claim.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; the plural is 'signings of waivers' or, informally, 'signing waivers'.
Patterns
- signing a waiver for something
- signing a waiver before something
- signing a waiver of your rights
Signing a waiver means you cannot later sue the gym if you get hurt there.
The hospital asked him to confirm in writing that signing a waiver was voluntary.
Parents must attend before signing a waiver for their child's school trip.
phrasefixed phrase
The moment or event when someone puts their signature on such a document.
Grammar: Often appears after 'after' or 'before' to place an event in time.
Patterns
- after signing a waiver
- before signing a waiver
After signing a waiver, she was allowed to join the climbing wall.
The coach waited until everyone had finished signing a waiver before starting practice.
Common combinations
- sign a waiver
- You must sign a waiver before you can use the equipment.
- a liability waiver
- The form is a liability waiver that protects the company from lawsuits.
- waive your rights
- By signing, you waive your rights to compensation.
- sign on the dotted line
- Just sign on the dotted line and the deal is done.
- a release form
- The studio hands out a release form to every new client.
Synonyms and how they differ
- release form
- A release form is the actual document you sign, while 'signing a waiver' focuses on the action.
- consent form
- A consent form records permission for something to happen; a waiver goes further and gives up a right to complain or sue.
- disclaimer
- A disclaimer is a statement refusing responsibility, often printed rather than signed by you.
Word family
Commonly confused: signing a waiver or waver? signing a waiver or wafer?
signing a waiver vs waver
'Waver' means to hesitate or become unsteady, as in 'her voice wavered'. A 'waiver' is the legal document, so the two are only confused in writing.
signing a waiver vs wafer
A 'wafer' is a thin crisp biscuit or a thin slice of material; it sounds similar but has nothing to do with giving up rights.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
Refusing to sign means the rights are not given up, so she keeps the option to take legal action. Option 1 contradicts the meaning of refusing, option 2 uses the wrong pattern after 'refuse', and option 3 is ungrammatical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “signing a waiver”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.