Wilde

American

[wahyld] / waɪld /

noun

Oscar (Fingal O'Flahertie Wills) Sebastian Melmoth, 1854–1900, Irish poet, dramatist, novelist, essayist, and critic.

Wilde British

/ waɪld /

noun

Oscar ( Fingal O'Flahertie Wills ). 1854–1900, Irish writer and wit, famous for such plays as Lady Windermere's Fan (1892) and The Importance of being Earnest (1895). The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) is a macabre novel about a hedonist and The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898) relates to his experiences in prison while serving a two-year sentence for homosexuality

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has cut Wilde’s play by about half.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Riley’s column reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s definition of a cynic: “A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Barton - who managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers - did not attend the hearing, with Mr de Wilde telling the court that he was arrested on Monday and is currently being held in custody.

From BBC

Mr de Wilde told the court that Barton "was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody".

From BBC

Philip Larkin, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens and sundry others have all been criticised for their personal conduct.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023