wish

1 of 2

verb

ˈwish 

wished; wishing; wishes

transitive verb

1

: to have a desire for (something, such 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 : foist

intransitive verb

1

: to have a desire : want

wishing for more

2

: to make a wish

wish on a falling star

wisher noun

wish

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act or instance of wishing or desire : want

a wish to travel

b

: an object of desire : goal

2

a

: an expressed will or desire : mandate

b

: a request or command couched as a wish

3

: an invocation of good or evil fortune on someone

Synonyms

Verb

• impose
• inflict

Choose the Right Synonym for wish

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for.

desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

Examples of wish in a Sentence

Verb

You may use the telephone, if you wish.

She wished them a happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Noun

He has a wish to be reunited with his son.

The genie will grant you three wishes.

Send her my good wishes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Foreigners who wish to become Ukrainian citizens must pass a test on the country's language, history, and constitution. —Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

In the meantime, wishing everyone a happy Juneteenth, aka Emancipation Day. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Noun

The replies completely dismissed the woman's wishes. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 19 June 2025

The tour offers moviegoers the chance to catch another look at the much buzzed about film that is not available on any streaming platforms, per Coppola’s wishes. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wish

• (be) careful what you wish for
• death wish
• (don't) I wish
• (don't) you wish
• dying wish
• get one's wish
• have no wish
• make a wish
• only wish/want/hope
• pious hope/wish
• someone's wish comes true
• someone's wish is my command
• wish away
• wish fulfillment
• wish list
• wish (someone) luck
• wish (someone or something) on (someone)
• wish someone well
• wish-wash

Rhymes for wish

• dish
• lish
• swish
• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish

Kids Definition

wish

1 of 2 verb

ˈwish 

1

: to have a desire : long for : want

wish you were here

wish for a puppy

2

: to form or express a desire concerning

wished them a happy New Year

3

: to request by expressing a desire

I wish you to go now

wisher noun

wish

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of wishing or desire

a wish to travel

b

: an object of desire : goal

I got my wish—a good score on the test

2

: a wishing of good fortune

sends her best wishes