wig

American  

[wig] / wɪg /

noun

1. an artificial covering of hair for all or most of the head, of either synthetic or natural hair, worn to be stylish or more attractive.

2. a similar head covering, worn in one's official capacity, as part of a costume, disguise, etc.

3. a toupee or hairpiece.

4. British Informal. a wigging.

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verb (used with object)

wigged, wigging

1. to furnish with a wig.

2. British Informal. to reprimand or reprove severely; scold.

verb phrase

1. wig out

   1. to be intoxicated with narcotic drugs.

   2. to make or become wildly excited or enthusiastic.

      She wigs out over every rock star that comes along.

idioms

1. flip one's wig, lid.

wig ¹ British  

/ wɪɡ /

noun

1. an artificial head of hair, either human or synthetic, worn to disguise baldness, as part of a theatrical or ceremonial dress, as a disguise, or for adornment

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verb

1. obsolete to furnish with a wig

2. slang to berate severely

Wig. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Wigtownshire

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wig More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing wig

• flip one's lid (wig)

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Other Word Forms

• unwig verb (used with object)
• wigged adjective
• wigless adjective
• wiglike adjective

Etymology

Origin of wig

First recorded in 1665–75; short for periwig

Example Sentences

He said Ortiz, who was arrested in a vehicle with a rifle, ammunition and a disguise -- a wig -- had behaved in a manner that was "extremely dangerous."

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Police believed he was wearing a hat and wig.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Often, they’re the same thing, like Byrne’s stiff blonde wig or her set of fake teeth that impede several lines of dialogue to hysterical results.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

O’Brien, in fright makeup and wig, looked like Aunt Gladys, the orange-haired witch in the horror movie “Weapons.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

But it was Kainene, in a rumpled black dress, holding her wig in her hand.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• toupee