wig

play

noun \ ˈwig \

Definition of wig

1 a :a manufactured covering of natural or synthetic hair for the head

b :toupee 1

2 :an act of wigging :rebuke

See wig defined for English-language learners

See wig defined for kids

Examples of wig in a Sentence

She was wearing a blonde wig.
the cancer patient started wearing a wig after losing all of her hair from chemotherapy

Recent Examples of wig from the Web

His slapstick antics enliven the inherent talkiness of a show that is usually performed with powdered French wigs and canes.

— john monaghan, Detroit Free Press, "Stratford fest: 'Tartuffe' is amusing but heavy-handed," 27 Aug. 2017
A man reportedly disguised in an orange wig and makeup robbed a video game store at gunpoint in San Carlos Tuesday, San Diego police said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man possibly disguised in wig, makeup robs game store," 15 Aug. 2017
Police found a wig, a single sock, an earring and a cigarette on the grass beside her.

— jessica anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Jury convicts El Salvadoran man of killing two Baltimore women," 31 July 2017
However, surveillance video revealed the clerk had moved away from the counter to allow the suspect – wearing a woman’s dress and a wig – to have easier access to the register, said Sheriff Darren Campbell.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "NC family’s cross-dressing crime caper foiled by burning dress, sheriff says," 12 July 2017
Arnold (Francis Guinan), Isaac’s 58-year-old father, is caked in makeup and wearing a dress, topped with a clown’s wig.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Steppenwolf's 'Hir' upends traditional American family with sharp humor," 10 July 2017
Judge leads the major leagues with 30 home runs, and some Yankees fans showed up to support him in their full dress — flowing black robes and white powdered wigs.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Aaron Judge of New York Yankees rules in All-Star Home Run Derby," 10 July 2017
Judge has inspired many fan outfits, including one that combines a long robe and wig, resembling that of a stereotypical old-fashioned judge.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fans flock to Marlins Park to battle for Home Run Derby balls," 10 July 2017
Sporting curly wigs, elaborate costumes, tiaras and crowns, Irish step dancers from all over the world are dancing, leaping and high kicking their way through competition at the Hilton Riverside Hotel this week.

— brett duke, NOLA.com, "Irish dancers from around the world compete in New Orleans," 7 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of wig

short for periwig

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1675

See Words from the same year

wig Synonyms

Synonyms

rug [slang], toupee, hairpiece

Related Words

fright wig; extension, fall, postiche, switch, wiglet

wig

verb

Definition of wig

wigged; wigging

transitive verb

:to scold severely

intransitive verb

slang :to lose one's composure or reason :freak —usually used with out

See wig defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of wig from the Web

When Infiniti released images of the Prototype 9 concept last week, the automotive internet wigged out a little.

— davey g. johnson, Car and Driver, "10 Things to Know about Infiniti’s Amazing Prototype 9," 18 Aug. 2017
Nintendo says it's also resolved an issue whereby game updates would fail to complete (after which the game would no longer start), and another that could cause the HDMI inputs to wig out on some TVs when the console was docked and asleep.

— matt peckham, Time, "The Nintendo Switch Can Find Your Lost Joy-Cons," 20 June 2017
Other factors need to be part of the mix for people to wig out, and those happen to be in good supply aboard a commercial airline flight.

— fredrick kunkle, Washington Post, "Crowded airplanes heighten aggression. We know that from studying rats.," 3 June 2017