Definition of WISH

wish

Plural: wishes

Noun

  • a specific feeling of desire
    • "he got his wish"
    • "he was above all wishing and desire"
  • an expression of some desire or inclination
    • "I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave"
  • (usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
    • "my best wishes"
  • the particular preference that you have
    • "it was his last wish"
    • "they should respect the wishes of the people"
  • A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.
  • An expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and supernatural power.
  • The thing desired or longed for.
  • A water meadow.

Verb

Verb Forms: wished, wishing, wishes

  • To desire or long for something to happen or be true.
  • hope for; have a wish
    • "I wish I could go home now"
  • prefer or wish to do something
  • make or express a wish
    • "I wish that Christmas were over"
  • feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of
  • order politely; express a wish for
  • invoke upon
    • "wish you a nice evening"
  • To desire; to want.
  • To hope (+ object clause with may or in present subjunctive).
  • To hope (for a particular outcome), even if that outcome is unlikely to occur or cannot occur.
  • To bestow (a thought or gesture) towards (someone or something).
  • To request or desire to do an activity.
  • To recommend; to seek confidence or favour on behalf of.

Examples

  • Anyone who wishes an aisle seat should see an attendant.
  • Anyone who wishes to may leave now.
  • I wish I could go back in time and teach myself what I know now.
  • I WISH I had a ’Q’ to pair with this ’U’ on the triple letter score!
  • I wish it to be known that I wish them all to leave the company.
  • I wished (that) it would rain.
  • I'll come tomorrow, if you wish (it).
  • It is my wish that the bequest (should) be given to an almshouse.
  • make a wish
  • make someone's wish come true
  • My dearest wish is to see them happily married.
  • We wish you a merry Christmas.
  • You have my best wishes.

Origin / 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”).
Cognate with Scots wis (“to wish”), Saterland Frisian wonskje (“to wish”), West Frisian winskje (“to wish”), Dutch wensen (“to wish”), German wünschen (“to wish”), Danish ønske (“to wish”), Icelandic æskja, óska (“to wish”), Latin Venus, veneror (“venerate, honour, love”).

Synonyms

bid, care, compliments, indirect request, like, regard, want, wish well, wishing

Antonyms

begrudge

Scrabble Score: 10

wish: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
wish: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
wish: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

wish: valid Words With Friends Word