Systems and methods of wireless communication in which wireless devices are adapted to implement adaptive waveform selection are disclosed. For example, operation according to embodiments may provide for use of a waveform design that minimizes peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), such as single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM), as well as a waveform design that provides higher spectral efficiency, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), for scenarios that are not power-limited and the higher PAPR is acceptable. Adaptive waveform selection may be based implicitly on one or more parameters or may be based on explicit signaling. Adaptive waveform selection may be utilized with respect to initially establishing a communication link and/or with respect to an established communication link.