wad

verb

wadded; wadding

transitive verb

1

a

: to insert a wad into

wad a gun

b

: to hold in by a wad

wad a bullet in a gun

2

: to form into a wad or wadding

especially : to roll or crush into a tight wad

3

: to stuff or line with some soft substance

wadder noun

Synonyms of wad

• round
• roll
• ball

Examples of wad in a Sentence

she wadded up the paper and threw it in the wastebasket

Recent Examples on the Web

Simply tear off a sheet of heavy-duty foil, wad it up to form a homemade scouring pad, and get to scrubbing. —Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

Zendaya's outfit at the Dolby Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas matched the theme, resembling rippling sand dunes through multiple layers of wadding and sandy shades. —Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

The pieces are ultra-light, and eco-friendly, mixing recycled down and wadding padding. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026

This report wads produced by Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami. —Cbs News Miami, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wad

• awed
• baaed
• baud
• bawd
• brod
• clawed
• cod
• flawed
• fraud
• gnawed
• god
• jawed

Kids Definition

wad

1 of 2 noun

ˈwäd 

1

: a small mass, bundle, or tuft

a wad of cotton

2

: a soft pad or plug used to hold a powder charge in a gun or cartridge

3

a

: a roll of paper money

b

: a large amount (as of money)

spent a wad on clothes

wad

2 of 2 verb

wadded; wadding

1

: to form into a wad or wadding

wad up a handkerchief

2

: to stuff or line with soft material