wish
//ˈwɪʃ//
Forms
- Plural
- wishes
- present (v1)
- wish
- past (v2)
- wished
- past participle (v3)
- wished
- present participle
- wishing
- 3rd person singular
- wishes
Definitions
1.A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.
- It is my wish that the bequest (should) be given to an almshouse.
- Send this message to six beings of your acquaintance, and your greatest wish shall come true!
2.An expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and supernatural power.
- I wish you could come with us.
- I wish that I could do that myself.
- Your wish will come true in the near future.
3.The thing desired or longed for.
- My dearest wish is to see them happily married.
- You have my best wishes.
4.A water meadow.
- I wish you could come with us.
- I wish that I could do that myself.
- Your wish will come true in the near future.
1.To desire; to want.
- I'll come tomorrow, if you wish (it).
- I would not wish / Any companion in the world but you.
- Anyone who wishes an aisle seat should see an attendant.
2.To hope (for a particular outcome), even if that outcome is unlikely to occur or cannot occur.
- I wished (that) it would rain.
- This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.
- I wish I could go back in time and teach myself what I know now.
3.To bestow (a thought or gesture) towards (someone or something).
- We wish you a merry Christmas.
- I would not wish them to a fairer death.
- Let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil.
4.To request or desire to do an activity.
- Anyone who wishes to may leave now.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #826
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Uncommon
Etymology
From Middle English wisshen, wischen, wüschen, from Old English wȳsċan (“to wish”), from Proto-West Germanic *wunskijan, from Proto-Germanic *wunskijaną (“to wish”), from Proto-Indo-European *wenh₁- (“to wish, love”).