wretch
[ rech ]
/ rɛtʃ /
noun
a deplorably unfortunate or unhappy person.
a person of despicable or base character.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of wretch
before 900; Middle English wrecche,Old English wrecca exile, adventurer; cognate with German Recke warrior, hero, Old Norse rekkr man
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wretch
retch, wretchWords nearby wretch
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for wretch
“Capital” vs. “Capitol”: Do You Know Where You’re Going?
Laying Down The Law On “Sedition” vs. “Treason” vs. “Insurrection” vs. “Coup”
“Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time
“Have” vs. “Has”: When To Use Each One
What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”?
What Is An Em Dash And How Do You Use It?
British Dictionary definitions for wretch
wretch
/ (rɛtʃ) /
noun
a despicable person
a person pitied for his misfortune
Word Origin for wretch
Old English wrecca; related to Old Saxon wrekkeo, Old High German reccheo (German Recke warrior), Old Norse rek (n) ingr
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012