wish

[wish]

verb (used with object)

1. to want; desire; long for (usually followed by an infinitive or a clause).

   I wish to travel.

   I wish that it were morning.

   Synonyms: crave

2. to desire (a person or thing) to be (as specified).

   to wish the problem settled.

3. to entertain wishes, favorably or otherwise, for.

   to wish someone well;

   to wish someone ill.

4. to bid, as in greeting or leave-taking.

   to wish someone a good morning.

5. to request or charge.

   I wish him to come.

   Synonyms: order, direct

verb (used without object)

1. to desire; long; yearn (often followed byfor ).

   Mother says I may go if I wish.

   I wished for a book.

2. to make a wish.

   She wished more than she worked.

noun

1. an act or instance of wishing.

2. a request or command.

   I was never forgiven for disregarding my father's wishes.

   Synonyms: want, will, desire

3. an expression of a wish, often one of a kindly or courteous nature.

   to send one's best wishes.

4. something wished or desired.

   He got his wish—a new car.

verb phrase

1. wish on

   1. to force or impose (usually used in the negative).

      I wouldn't wish that awful job on my worst enemy.

   2. Also wish upon. to make a wish using some object as a magical talisman.

      to wish on a star.

wish

/ wɪʃ /

verb

1. to want or desire (something, often that which cannot be or is not the case)

   I wish I lived in Italy

   to wish for peace

2. (tr) to feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of

   I wish you well

3. (tr) to desire or prefer to be as specified

4. (tr) to greet as specified; bid

   he wished us good afternoon

5. formal,  (tr) to order politely

   I wish you to come at three o'clock

noun

1. the act of wishing; the expression of some desire or mental inclination

   to make a wish

2. something desired or wished for

   he got his wish

3. (usually plural) expressed hopes or desire, esp for someone's welfare, health, etc

4. formal,  (often plural) a polite order or request

Other Word Forms

• wisher noun
• wishless adjective
• interwish verb (used with object)
• outwish verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wish¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb wishen, Old English wȳscan; cognate with German wünschen, Old Norse æskja; akin to Old English wynn “joy” ( winsome ), Latin venus “charm” ( Venus ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wish¹

Old English wӯscan; related to Old Norse öskja, German wünschen, Dutch wenschen

Idioms and Phrases

• if wishes were horses

Example Sentences

“I kept thinking, ‘Boy, I wish I knew where my old Beetle was,’” says Siegrist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One money merchant, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells us that market forces determine commission rates.

Read more on BBC

Researchers have long noted Americans’ lack of financial literacy, but now more teens are learning about markets and money in school, through investing platforms or from parents who wish they started investing earlier themselves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Her post on Facebook read: "My wish is for my boys to make as many memories as they can together as time is precious as their middle brother is terminally ill."

Read more on BBC

But she wishes she was at home with her daughters instead.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ambition 
• aspiration 
• choice 
• hope 
• inclination 
• intention 
• longing 
• prayer 
• preference 
• request 
• will 
• yearning 

When To Use

What are other ways to say wish?

To wish is to want or long for something. How is wish different from desire and want? Find out on Thesaurus.com.