wish

1 of 2

verb

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
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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Those wishing to enroll in those services or those with questions on the incident were asked to call 1-800-906-7947. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 7 Apr. 2023 Florence Pugh is wishing Zach Braff a happy 48th birthday! Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2023 Locals – who are predominantly Hindu – believe that the mountain represents the god Shiva and a permit is required for anyone who wishes to hike it. Heather Chen, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023 Justin Timberlake took to Instagram to wish his friend and collaborator Pharrell a happy 50th birthday on Wednesday (April 5). Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2023 Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2023 In 1953, the same year Roger Mastrude drove up and down the West Coast for the Foreign Policy Association, Langston Hughes published a short story in the Chicago Defender in which his character Simple, a stand-in for the common man, wishes to become a giant. Andrew Lanham, The New Republic, 5 Apr. 2023 Instead of wishing for your tiny but costly dreams to come true, consider a shipping container home. House Beautiful, 5 Apr. 2023 But the issue can’t be wished away. Paul M. Dabbar, WSJ, 3 Apr. 2023
Noun
Fox News granted her wish. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 24 Apr. 2023 Patti Gorsky, executive director of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, added that most celebrities want to be anonymous about their wish, but Bell was fine having people know about meeting Amara. Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2023 Just give me one wish. Alan Blinder, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2023 Many fans rallied around Miranda and offered their well-wishes to the singer, who is currently doing the Velvet Rodeo residency in Sin City. Country Living Staff, Country Living, 7 Apr. 2023 In accordance with Sakamoto's wishes, a funeral service was held with his close family members, his management team said. Radina Gigova, CNN, 2 Apr. 2023 Instead, Bond fans who were desperate for more de Armas espionage action after her brief appearance in No Time to Die are about to get their wish. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 31 Mar. 2023 All shows at Darcelle XV Showplace will go on as scheduled per Darcelle's wishes. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2023 In the dramatic trailer, a young version of Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) is sent to marry King George (Corey Mylchreest) against her wishes. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wish was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wish

Cite this Entry

“Wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wish. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

wish

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on wish

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