definitions

wretch

[ rech ]
/ rɛtʃ /
|
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noun

a deplorably unfortunate or unhappy person.
a person of despicable or base character.

RELATED WORDS

rascal, liar, poltroon, beggar, miscreant, dog, villain, pariah, vagabond, pauper, libertine, varlet, ingrate, brute, scoundrel, reprobate, rake, outcast, rogue, snake

Nearby words

wrens, wrest, wrest pin, wrestle, wrestling, wretch, wretched, wrexham, wrick, wrier, wriest

Origin of wretch

before 900; Middle English wrecche, Old English wrecca exile, adventurer; cognate with German Recke warrior, hero, Old Norse rekkr man

Can be confused

retch wretch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for wretch

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