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” ( winsome ), Latin venus “charm” ( Venus ); noun derivative of the verb

Example Sentences

“Ready or Not 2” and “They Will Kill You” supply their characters with almost inhuman agency and dexterity because they reflect a moment when the viewer desperately wishes they could have those things, too.

From Salon

Reeves has said any package would be constrained by the government's borrowing rules and its wish to keep inflation and interest rates as low as possible.

From BBC

Despite the name, "a 'Notice of Cancellation' does not, necessarily, end the cover. War cover remains available for owners and operators wishing to take it."

From Barron's

The 1990s are back—or at least some of us wish they were.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I wish it had not happened,” said White of the warehouse sale.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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