noun

wish

WIHSH

noun

A hope or desire for something, especially something not fully within your control.

"She made a wish before blowing out the candles."

"It was always his wish to travel the world."

verb

To want or hope for something, often something unlikely or impossible.

"I wish I could be there for the wedding."

"He wished he had studied harder for the exam."

To express a hope for someone's wellbeing or good fortune.

"She wished him luck before the interview."

"We wish you a happy birthday."

How to Use Wish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHoping for something, or telling someone you hope something good happens to them.

Memory tip

"Wish" pairs with a past-tense verb even when talking about now or the future — "I wish I had more time" (not "I wish I have").

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

wish someone well make a wish I wish I could

Word Forms

wished past tense, wishes plural, wish plural, wished plural, wishes singular, wish singular, wished singular, wishest singular, wishedst singular, wisheth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She made a _____ before blowing out the candles.

Etymology

From Old English wyscan, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to wish" that also produced the German wünschen and Dutch wensen.

Rhymes for wish

ish fish dish pish Tish bish Irish swish Amish shish Trish Krish

See all rhymes for wish →