wrap

[rap]

verb (used with object)

wrapped, wrapt, wrapping. 

1. to enclose in something wound or folded about (often followed byup ).

   She wrapped her head in a scarf.

2. to enclose and make fast (an article, bundle, etc.) within a covering of paper or the like (often followed byup ).

   He wrapped the package up in brown paper.

3. to wind, fold, or bind (something) about as a covering.

4. to protect with coverings, outer garments, etc. (usually followed byup ).

5. to cover (fingernails) with a sheer silk or linen fabric, as to repair or strengthen them.

6. to surround, envelop, shroud, or hide.

7. to fold or roll up.

8. Movies, Television.,  to finish the filming of (a motion picture).

verb (used without object)

wrapped, wrapt, wrapping. 

1. to wrap oneself (usually followed byup ).

2. to become wrapped, enclosed, packaged, or folded (usually followed byup ).

   This hat wraps up into a pocket-size square—perfect for hiking and camping.

3. Movies, Television.,  to complete the filming of a motion picture.

   We hope to wrap in time for Christmas.

noun

1. something to be wrapped about the person, especially in addition to the usual indoor clothing, such as a shawl.

   an evening wrap.

2. a beauty treatment in which a part or all of the body is covered with cream, lotion, herbs, or the like and then wrapped snugly with cloth.

3. a sheer silk or linen fabric glued to the fingernails to repair or strengthen them.

4. a flatbread wrapped around a filling and eaten as a sandwich.

5. Movies, Television.

   1. the completion of photography on a film or an individual scene.

   2. the termination of a working day during the shooting of a film.

adjective

1. wraparound in style.

   a wrap skirt.

verb phrase

1. wrap up,  to conclude; finish work on.

   to wrap up a project.

wrap

/ ræp /

verb

1. to fold or wind (paper, cloth, etc) around (a person or thing) so as to cover

2. (often foll by up) to fold paper, etc, around to fasten securely

3. to surround or conceal by surrounding

4. to enclose, immerse, or absorb

   wrapped in sorrow

5. to fold, wind, or roll up

6. (intr; often foll by about, around, etc) to be or become wound or extended

7. to complete the filming of (a motion picture or television programme)

8. Also called: rap. informal,  (often foll by up) to praise (someone)

noun

1. a garment worn wrapped around the body, esp the shoulders, such as a shawl or cloak

2. short for wrapround

3. a type of sandwich consisting of a tortilla wrapped round a filling

4. wrapping or a wrapper

5. slang,  a small package of an illegal drug in powder form

   a wrap of heroin

6. Also called: rap. informal,  a commendation

7. 1. the end of a working day during the filming of a motion picture or television programme

   2. the completion of filming of a motion picture or television programme

8. to keep secret

9. to reveal

Other Word Forms

• interwrap verb (used without object)
• prewrap noun
• rewrap verb
• underwrap verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrap¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English wrappen, of obscure origin; compare dialectal Danish vravle to wind

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrap¹

C14: origin unknown

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wrapped up in,

   1. intensely absorbed in.

      wrapped up in one's work.

   2. involved in; bound up with.

      Peace is wrapped up in willingness to compromise.

2. under wraps, secret.

   The army wants this research project kept under wraps.

More idioms and phrases containing wrap

• twist (wrap) around one's finger
• under wraps

Example Sentences

We are given vivid glimpses into the author’s childhood in communist Bulgaria, where haircuts were strictly policed and emotions kept under wraps, a world in which the ultimate parent was “the Party.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer’s return to L.A. will wrap up a brief North American tour where the venues finally felt appropriate to her stature as one of the breakout pop acts of the decade.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For years, the infamous fishing trip involving Bryn and his nephew Jason has been wrapped in secrecy and speculation.

Read more on BBC

When combined with archival observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the data revealed that the blast originated from a massive red supergiant star wrapped in an unexpected blanket of dust.

Read more on Science Daily

As Chesson wrapped up the drinks service, a colleague rushed past to the back of the plane, her hands around her throat, complaining she was struggling to breathe before starting to vomit.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bandage 
• bind 
• bundle 
• cloak 
• clothe 
• cover 
• drape 
• encase 
• enclose 
• fold 
• hide 
• immerse 
• pack 
• roll up 
• sheathe 
• shroud 
• swaddle 
• swathe