ween
Americanverb (used with or without object)
-
to think; suppose.
-
to expect, hope, or intend.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ween
before 900; Middle English wenen, Old English wēnan to expect; cognate with German wähnen to imagine, Old Norse væna, Gothic wēnjan to hope, expect
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.
“We will allow ourselves to be open, curious and learning from nature ween though the sadness in our hearts.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2023
The EU sought for decades to ween aging industries from state aid that kept noncompetitive sectors alive beyond their sell-by date.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2022
I’d begin by trying to ween her into other genres.
From Slate • May 20, 2021
That plan calls for Saudi Arabia to ween itself off of relying on oil exports while creating new jobs for its millions of young people.
From Washington Times • Oct. 11, 2020
Many a good knight between them forth prick'd in full career, And waged the mimic battle; their knightly sports, I ween, Drew many a damsel's glances, nor irk'd the stately queen.
From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
