wrap

American  

[rap] / ræp /

verb (used with object)

wrapped, wrapt, wrapping

1. to enclose in something wound or folded about (often followed byup ).

   She wrapped her head in a scarf.

2. to enclose and make fast (an article, bundle, etc.) within a covering of paper or the like (often followed byup ).

   He wrapped the package up in brown paper.

3. to wind, fold, or bind (something) about as a covering.

4. to protect with coverings, outer garments, etc. (usually followed byup ).

5. to cover (fingernails) with a sheer silk or linen fabric, as to repair or strengthen them.

6. to surround, envelop, shroud, or hide.

7. to fold or roll up.

8. Movies, Television. to finish the filming of (a motion picture).

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verb (used without object)

wrapped, wrapt, wrapping

1. to wrap oneself (usually followed byup ).

2. to become wrapped, enclosed, packaged, or folded (usually followed byup ).

   This hat wraps up into a pocket-size square—perfect for hiking and camping.

3. Movies, Television. to complete the filming of a motion picture.

   We hope to wrap in time for Christmas.

noun

1. something to be wrapped about the person, especially in addition to the usual indoor clothing, such as a shawl.

   an evening wrap.

2. a beauty treatment in which a part or all of the body is covered with cream, lotion, herbs, or the like and then wrapped snugly with cloth.

3. a sheer silk or linen fabric glued to the fingernails to repair or strengthen them.

4. a flatbread wrapped around a filling and eaten as a sandwich.

5. Movies, Television.

   1. the completion of photography on a film or an individual scene.

   2. the termination of a working day during the shooting of a film.

adjective

1. wraparound in style.

   a wrap skirt.

verb phrase

1. wrap up to conclude; finish work on.

   to wrap up a project.

idioms

1. wrapped up in,

   1. intensely absorbed in.

      wrapped up in one's work.

   2. involved in; bound up with.

      Peace is wrapped up in willingness to compromise.

2. under wraps, secret.

   The army wants this research project kept under wraps.

wrap British  

/ ræp /

verb

1. to fold or wind (paper, cloth, etc) around (a person or thing) so as to cover

2. (often foll by up) to fold paper, etc, around to fasten securely

3. to surround or conceal by surrounding

4. to enclose, immerse, or absorb

   wrapped in sorrow

5. to fold, wind, or roll up

6. (intr; often foll by about, around, etc) to be or become wound or extended

7. to complete the filming of (a motion picture or television programme)

8. Also called: rap.  informal (often foll by up) to praise (someone)

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noun

1. a garment worn wrapped around the body, esp the shoulders, such as a shawl or cloak

2. short for wrapround

3. a type of sandwich consisting of a tortilla wrapped round a filling

4. wrapping or a wrapper

5. slang a small package of an illegal drug in powder form

   a wrap of heroin

6. Also called: rap.  informal a commendation

7. 1. the end of a working day during the filming of a motion picture or television programme

   2. the completion of filming of a motion picture or television programme

8. to keep secret

9. to reveal

wrap More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing wrap

• twist (wrap) around one's finger
• under wraps

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Other Word Forms

• interwrap verb (used without object)
• prewrap verb (used with object)
• rewrap verb
• underwrap noun

Etymology

Origin of wrap

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English wrappen, of obscure origin; compare dialectal Danish vravle to wind

Explanation

To wrap something is to enclose it, like when you wrap holiday presents in glittery paper. When you're done with the presents, you can wrap yourself in a cozy blanket while you drink hot chocolate. Wrap also has a number of noun meanings. There's the wrap you wear, which is similar to a cloak or a shawl. There's also the plastic wrap you use to cover a bowl of leftovers, and the wrap you make when you fold a tortilla around sandwich fillings. The verb wrap came first, from a root meaning "to turn or wind." To wrap something up also means to end it, so let's wrap up this blurb by saying, "That's a wrap!" — it's what movie directors since the 1920s have been saying when filming is finished.

Example Sentences

The beloved burger chain, whose long lines often wrap around the block, has stood out against fast food competitors in its resistance to automated ordering.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"As soon as the bubble wrap was lifted from the painting's surface I knew exactly what it was - it just had to be a Joan Eardley painting."

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss what this deal says about the private and public markets and try to wrap their heads around the astronomical valuations of OpenAI and SpaceX.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

The president has said that he wants to wrap up the conflict in the coming weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Even though I’d grown up in a world where time traveling was completely normal, I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around this.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• bandage
• bind
• bundle
• cloak
• clothe
• cover
• drape
• encase
• enclose
• fold
• hide
• immerse
• pack
• roll up
• sheathe
• shroud
• swaddle
• swathe