Waiver

In one sentence

Voluntarily giving up a legal right you're entitled to.

Plain English

A waiver is when you intentionally abandon a right you have under a contract or law. You might waive your right to sue, your right to payment, or your right to notice—it's your choice to let it go. For a waiver to be valid, you must understand what you're giving up and do it willingly; you can't waive something by accident or under pressure. Once you waive a right, you generally can't get it back unless the other party agrees.

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Example

A gym member signs a waiver before using the equipment, giving up their right to sue the gym for injuries caused by normal use of the machines. By signing, they voluntarily accept the risk.

Used in a sentence

“The employee signed a waiver of her right to overtime pay in exchange for flexible work hours.”

Related terms

Affirmation

A party's decision to keep a contract or agreement even after discovering a reason to cancel it.

Enforceability

The legal ability to compel someone to follow through on a contract's terms in court.

Material Fact

A fact that significantly affects a party's rights, obligations, or decision-making in a contract.

Remedy

A legal action or payment a court awards to fix a harm or enforce a right after a breach.

Disclaimer of Warranties

A statement that removes or limits the automatic guarantees a seller would otherwise provide.

Confidentiality Clause

A contract provision requiring parties to keep certain information secret and not disclose it to outsiders.

Offer

A proposal to enter into a binding agreement on specific terms.

Acceptance

Agreeing to the exact terms of an offer, creating a binding contract.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.