wish

American  

[wish] / wɪʃ /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

wish Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing wish

• if wishes were horses

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of wish

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

Example Sentences

It means facing the facts as they are, not as we wish them to be.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

“We encourage all organizations that wish to solicit charitable donations within the City of Los Angeles to complete an info card and seek compliance.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

“Trust me, you have no idea how much I wish I had never picked them up, but I did.”

From Slate • May 28, 2026

“We wish all of our competitors the best because, in the end, we are in the service of what value we deliver to our customers.”

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

“I hardly know what to say—I wish you all the best, and I—and I—” My voice grows surprisingly emotional, but before I get too far Theo cuts me off.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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