Home / Dictionary / Wish

Wish Very Common

Wish has 13 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

a specific feeling of desire

"he got his wish"

"he was above all wishing and desire"

2

an expression of some desire or inclination

"I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave"

"his crying was an indirect request for attention"

3

(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare

"give him my kind regards"

"my best wishes"

4

the particular preference that you have

"it was his last wish"

"they should respect the wishes of the people"

5

A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.

"I really wish it would stop raining so we could finally have our picnic."

In plain English: A wish is something you really want to happen but cannot control.

"She made a wish when she blew out the candles on her birthday cake."

Usage: Use this noun when referring to a specific expression of desire made by someone else rather than your own internal feeling. Distinguish it from the verb form, which describes the act of wanting something yourself.

Verb
1

hope for; have a wish

"I wish I could go home now"

2

prefer or wish to do something

"Do you care to try this dish?"

"Would you like to come along to the movies?"

3

make or express a wish

"I wish that Christmas were over"

4

feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of

"I wish you all the best on your upcoming journey."

5

order politely; express a wish for

"Please wish me to take that heavy box down from the shelf, as I can't reach it myself."

6

invoke upon

"wish you a nice evening"

"bid farewell"

7

To desire; to want.

"I really wish I could travel to Japan next year."

In plain English: To wish is to hope for something you want to happen but cannot control.

"I wish I could fly to the moon tonight."

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"The new neighbor, Mr. Wish, waved at us from his porch while gardening."

Example Sentences
"She made a wish when she blew out the candles on her birthday cake." noun
"I had no wish to argue with him during the meeting." noun
"Her only wish was for everyone to stay safe tonight." noun
"There is not much of a wish among the team members this season." noun
"I wish I could fly to the moon tonight." verb
See Also
hope covet dream compassion es willpower longing wishing
Related Terms
Antonyms
resent
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
desire request greeting preference express order greet
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
velleity hope please congratulate

Origin

The word "wish" comes from the Old English verb wȳsċan, which originally meant to express a desire or hope. It traveled into Middle English as wisshen and eventually became the modern term we use today for making wishes.

Rhyming Words
ish hish lish tish mish eish rish nish dish bish pish fish kish aish gish irish ajish ilish swish apish
Compare
Wish vs