plural wisps
1
: a thin streak of smoke, mist, etc.
Wisps of steam rose up from the teapot.
a wisp of smoke
2
: a thin thread or strand of something (such as hair)
A few wisps (of hair) framed the sides of her face.
Wisps of cotton candy clung to his mouth.
3
: a small amount of something
By the morning, there was just a wisp [=bit] of snow left on the ground.
There was a wisp of a smile [=a very slight smile] on her lips.
4
: a small and thin person
I met her when she was just a wisp of a girl. [=a thin young girl]
Cite this Entry
“Wisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/wisp. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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