wrought

1 of 2

adjective

ˈrȯt 

1

: worked into shape by artistry or effort

carefully wrought essays

2

: elaborately embellished : ornamented

3

: processed for use : manufactured

wrought silk

4

: beaten into shape by tools : hammered

—used of metals

5

: deeply stirred : excited

—often used with up

gets easily wrought up over nothing

wrought

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of work

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The Uses of Wrought

Wrought may function as the past or the past participle form of the verb work. While not as common as it once was, this past-tense form still is encountered in such combinations as "wrought havoc." Since "wreak havoc" is also a familiar pairing, many people assume that wrought is the past tense of wreak, but the two are actually distinct. Although it still exists as a verb, wrought is more often used today as an adjective, a role in which it has a number of meanings. Most of these are found referring to things or materials which have been in some way worked by people (as in wrought iron or "carefully wrought prose"), but one sense ("deeply stirred") is typically used in describing emotions. When employed in this sense, wrought is often found paired with up (as in "he found himself wrought up over the news").

Examples of wrought in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At Columbia University, in front of wrought-iron entrance gates that have been locked for more than two years now, a graduate student named Lily Levitt stood next to a box of whistles as melting snow pooled around her. —Jane Bua, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026

The upshot is that Chinese Republicans, which wants to be a show with a pair of sturdily wrought protagonists, ends up waffling between the two, apparently unable to decide which should occupy the center and in neither case provided with enough dimension to fill it. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026

On the chimney was a wrought-iron R for Robinson. —Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026

Carved-wood dragons watch from palazzo eaves, and an ornate wrought-iron cage encases double bells atop the city hall’s clock tower. —Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

In June 2015, Doe, then a teenager, climbed over the compound’s wrought-iron fence and ran into the Arizona desert, where a former member was waiting to pick her up and take her to safety. —Jane Borden, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2026

Look for wrought iron, brass, or bronze versions via antiques dealers, Etsy, or eBay. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026

The front desk attendant graciously meets you at the bottom of the glamorous wrought-iron staircase. —Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

There’s more than a hint of Southern Gothic design with the dark woods, wrought ironwork, and Victoriana, plus aesthetics that blend nods to the city’s history with all the elements of an inarguably contemporary hotel. —Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from past participle of worken to work

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing wrought

• high-wrought
• wrought iron
• wrought up

Rhymes for wrought

• aught
• baht
• blot
• bott
• bought
• brought
• caught
• clot
• cot
• cott
• dot
• fought

Kids Definition

wrought

1 of 2

ˈrȯt 

past and past participle of work

wrought

2 of 2 adjective

1

: worked into shape by skill or effort

a carefully wrought report

2

: decorated with fancy designs

3

: beaten into shape by tools : hammered

wrought metals

4

: very excited

gets wrought up over nothing