Main Entry:: ¹wish
Pronunciation:: \ˈwish\
Function:: verb
Etymology:: Middle English wisshen, from Old English wȳscan; akin to Old High German wunsken to wish, Sanskrit vāñchati he wishes, vanoti he strives for — more at win
Date:: before 12th century

transitive verb1: to have a desire for (as something unattainable) <wished he could live his life over>2: to give expression to as a wish : bid <wish them good night>3 a: to give form to (a wish) b: to express a wish for c: to request in the form of a wish : order d: to desire (a person or thing) to be as specified <cannot wish our problems away>4: to confer (something unwanted) on someone : foistintransitive verb1: to have a desire : want <wishing for more>2: to make a wish <wish on a falling star>

synonyms see desire

— wish·er noun

Learn more about "wish" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "wish" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols