wig

[ wig ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, wigged, wig·ging.

1. to furnish with a wig.
2. British Informal. to reprimand or reprove severely; scold.

verb phrase

1. Slang.
   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.

Wig.

¹

abbreviation for

1. Wigtownshire

wig

²

/ 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

verb

1. obsolete.
   to furnish with a wig
2. slang.
   to berate severely

Derived Forms

• wigged, adjective
• ˈwigˌlike, adjective
• ˈwigless, adjective

Other Words From

• wigless adjective
• wiglike adjective
• un·wig verb (used with object) unwigged unwigging

Word History and Origins

Origin of wig¹

First recorded in 1665–75; short for periwig

Word History and Origins

Origin of wig¹

C17: shortened from periwig

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. flip one's wig, Slang. lid ( def 8 ).

More idioms and phrases containing wig

In addition to the idiom beginning with wig , also see flip one's lid (wig) .

Example Sentences

Once that is done,”We apply fangs or teeth, contact lenses, wigs, a full-body suit.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her tenants in the building included the wig shop with a celebrity clientele, a shoe repair shop, a frame shop and a social services provider, all of which relocated in the neighborhood, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

When she needed a wig after chemotherapy as an adult, little had changed, said the 39-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.

From BBC

Fans often remark that they forget the characters are actually “a dude in a wig.”

From New York Times

The impressionist wears a bespoke hairpiece created by wig designers, which is regularly re-styled by a hairdresser.

From BBC

Related Words

• toupee