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

The crash occurred in February when a vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 50 left the roadway and struck a chain-link fence and the wrought-iron fence surrounding the business’ parking lot, according to the California Highway Patrol. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026

One such building—the impressive Art-Nouveau mansion that now houses the Egyptian consulate—sits majestically beside the bay, handsomely showing off its columned façade and ornate wrought-iron railings following a complete restoration in 2010. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026

Its interior design matches the vibe, with elegant period-style design complemented by touches of country life—riding boots placed beside a cast-iron fireguard inside, terracotta pots next to Victorian wrought-iron chairs on the outdoor patio. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Usher’s taste for dark walls continued in this dwelling, where the double-height entryway featured numerous contemporary artworks highlighted against jet-black walls and a grand staircase with wrought-iron railing. — Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026

Beyond the threshold, the foyer with a wrought-iron staircase flows into the formal living and dining spaces, kitchen, library and home theater. — Sandra Barrera, Daily News, 30 July 2026

The designers retained many of the hotel’s original architectural elements, including the wrought-iron work behind the front desk, Waterford crystal chandeliers, elegant crown moldings and cornices, and the original King Cole oak bar. — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Beyond ornate 19th-century wrought-iron gates, walled gardens unfold as a series of outdoor rooms, with a formal knot garden by landscape architect Arabella Lennox-Boyd and borders by Mary Keen. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 July 2026

Oppenheimer, with its singular focus, is still Nolan’s most perfectly wrought film. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 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