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View synonyms for

wish

[wish]

verb (used with object)

  1. to want; desire; long for (usually followed by an infinitive or a clause).

    I wish to travel.

    I wish that it were morning.

    Synonyms:
  2. to desire (a person or thing) to be (as specified).

    to wish the problem settled.

  3. to entertain wishes, favorably or otherwise, for.

    to wish someone well;

    to wish someone ill.

  4. to bid, as in greeting or leave-taking.

    to wish someone a good morning.

  5. to request or charge.

    I wish him to come.

    Synonyms: ,


verb (used without object)

  1. to desire; long; yearn (often followed byfor ).

    Mother says I may go if I wish.

    I wished for a book.

  2. to make a wish.

    She wished more than she worked.

noun

  1. an act or instance of wishing.

  2. a request or command.

    I was never forgiven for disregarding my father's wishes.

    Synonyms: , ,
  3. an expression of a wish, often one of a kindly or courteous nature.

    to send one's best wishes.

  4. something wished or desired.

    He got his wish—a new car.

verb phrase

    1. to force or impose (usually used in the negative).

      I wouldn't wish that awful job on my worst enemy.

    2. Also wish upon. to make a wish using some object as a magical talisman.

      to wish on a star.

wish

/ ɪʃ /

verb

  1. to want or desire (something, often that which cannot be or is not the case)

    I wish I lived in Italy

    to wish for peace

  2. (tr) to feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of

    I wish you well

  3. (tr) to desire or prefer to be as specified

  4. (tr) to greet as specified; bid

    he wished us good afternoon

  5. formal(tr) to order politely

    I wish you to come at three o'clock

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of wishing; the expression of some desire or mental inclination

    to make a wish

  2. something desired or wished for

    he got his wish

  3. (usually plural) expressed hopes or desire, esp for someone's welfare, health, etc

  4. formal(often plural) a polite order or request

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • wisher noun
  • wishless adjective
  • interwish verb (used with object)
  • outwish verb (used with object)
  • ˈɾ adjective
  • ˈɾ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of wish1

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb wishen, Old English ɲ̄; cognate with German üԲ, Old Norse æᲹ; akin to Old English wynn “joy” ( winsome ), Latin venus “charm” ( Venus ); noun derivative of the verb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of wish1

Old English ӯ; related to Old Norse öᲹ, German üԲ, Dutch wenschen
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with wish, also see if wishes were horses.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And, according to a video the performer later posted to social media, she did so against the wishes of the Dodgers organization.

From

"I just wish everyone in the world political world knew this woman like we know her in Minnesota. Loved by Democrats and Republicans," Klobuchar said.

From

Players recalled watching the men compete, either on TV or as a spectator, and wishing they could take part.

From

The document appeared to be a wish list to try to build support and possibly private donations for the fund.

From

"I could not wish for a better tournament to be in the final and I'm so proud."

From

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When To Use

are other ways to saywish?

To wish is to want or long for something. How is wish different from desire and want? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

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