wad

noun \ ˈwäd \

Definition of wad

1 :a small mass, bundle, or tuft: such as

a :a soft mass especially of a loose fibrous material variously used (as to stop an aperture, pad a garment, or hold grease around an axle)

b (1) :a soft plug used to retain a powder charge or to avoid windage especially in a muzzle-loading gun

(2) :a felt or paper disk used to separate the components of a shotgun cartridge

c :a small mass of a chewing substance

a wad of gum

2 :a considerable amount (as of money)

3 a :a roll of paper money

b :money

See wad defined for English-language learners

See wad defined for kids

Examples of wad in a Sentence

He spent a wad on clothes.
a starlet who usually gets a big wad of publicity for her nonstop antics

Recent Examples of wad from the Web

Published in 2014 by the Alaska Tax Division during the administration of former Gov. Sean Parnell, the two-page pamphlet featured a cartoon moose with a wad of bills.

— alex demarban, Alaska Dispatch News, "Oil companies owed hundred of millions of dollars by state should have known risk, some say," 27 Aug. 2017
Imagine taking a wad of orange peels, rubbing it in cinnamon, then dunking it in…

— ross mccammon, GQ, "6 After-Dinner Drinks That Will Trick Your Guests into Thinking You're Classy," 25 Aug. 2017
A fun 50/50 raffle will send a lucky winner home with a wad of cash, and kids and adults alike will enjoy a special appearance by the HappiTimes clowns.

— faye reeder, star-telegram, "Pantego Lions Club Pancake Breakfast benefits local causes," 16 Aug. 2017
So, if the system says their kids have to show up on a certain day with a wad of cash to cover any number of incidental expenses, that's what parents will do.

— bill mego, Naperville Sun, "Column: Schools should not be dictating start and end of summer," 4 Aug. 2017
Some common themes arise — an entire series devoted to artists posing beneath cross streets in their neighborhoods, the inevitable wads of cash on display and the particularly Detroit preponderance of classic automobile culture.

— sarah rose sharp, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit hip-hop is star of new 'D-Cyphered' photo exhibit at the DIA," 2 Aug. 2017
To alleviate her fears, McConnell has been waving big wads of cash under her nose.

— michelle cottle, The Atlantic, "Mitch McConnell's Heavy Health-Care Lift," 16 July 2017
Fast forward to their flight, where Hay and his partner headed to the A380's bar, reportedly leaving their bag containing the wad of cash unattended for about 45 minutes.

— ryan craggs, CNT, "Couple Flying Emirates Claims $3,000 Cash Was Stolen from Their First-Class Seats," 7 July 2017
Mary Lou McLagan soaks paper and crushes it into a wad.

— kansascity, kansascity.com, "Stylistic watercolors are artist’s passion," 24 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of wad

Middle English wadde, from Medieval Latin wadda

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

wad Synonyms

wad

verb

Definition of wad

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

See wad defined for English-language learners

Examples of wad in a Sentence

disgusted, she wadded up the paper and threw it in the wastebasket

First Known Use of wad

1579

wad Synonyms

Synonyms

agglomerate, ball, roll, round

Antonyms

unroll

Related Words

bunch, clump, lump; bead, pearl, pellet, pelletize; sphere

Near Antonyms

flatten, open, smooth, spread, unfold

WAD Defined for English Language Learners

wad

noun

Definition of wad for English Language Learners

: a small mass or ball of soft material
: a thick roll or folded pile of paper money or papers
: a large amount of money

wad

verb

Definition of wad for English Language Learners

: to crush or press (something, such as paper) into a small, tight ball

WAD Defined for Kids

wad

noun \ ˈwäd \

Definition of wad for Students

1 :a small mass or lump of soft material

a wad of tissues

a wad of chewing gum

2 :a thick pile of folded money

wad

verb

Definition of wad for Students

wadded; wadding

:to crush or press into a small tight mass

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See words that rhyme with wad Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wad Spanish Central: Translation of wad Nglish: Translation of wad for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wad for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wad

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wad

Definition of wad

wadder

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First Known Use of wad

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WAD Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of wad for English Language Learners

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