wish
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
wishes;
wished;
wishing
wishes;
wished;
wishing
Britannica Dictionary definition of WISH
1
[+ object]
:
to want (something) to be true or to happen
-
I wish (that) you were here.
-
I only wish (that) I knew what was going on.
-
He was wishing (that) she would leave him alone.
-
I wish (that) you would be quiet and listen to me.
2
[+ object]
formal
:
to want or ask to do (something)
— often followed by to + verb
-
You may use the telephone, if you wish.
-
You can do as you wish. [=you can do whatever you want to do]
-
Ms. Jones wishes to see you.
-
I wish to speak with your supervisor.
-
He wished to be left alone.
3
[+ object]
a
:
to want (someone) to be in a particular state
—
see also well-wisher
-
I wish him well. [=I hope that good things happen to him]
-
She wished him dead.
-
I wish you no harm. [=I don't want to harm you; I don't want you to be harmed]
b
:
to say that you hope someone will have happiness, health, etc.
-
I wish you both much happiness. = I wish great happiness for you both. [=I hope that you will both be very happy]
-
She wished them a happy New Year.
-
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
-
I wish you luck. [=I hope you will have good luck]
4
[no object]
a
:
to think about something that you want and hope that you will get it or that it will happen in some magical way
:
to make a wish
— usually + for
-
Children wished upon a star [=made a wish while looking at a star] in the hopes that their dreams would come true.
-
She closed her eyes, wished for a pony, and blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
b
:
to hope for something that usually cannot be had
— + for
-
He wished for a second chance.
-
We all wish for world peace.
-
I couldn't wish for a better friend than you. [=you are the best friend I could have]
(be) careful what you wish for
— used to tell people to think before they say that they want something and to suggest that they may not actually want it
-
You think having twins would be fun? Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it.
I wish
informal or don't I wish
— used to say that you want something to happen but that you know it will probably not happen
-
“Did he ask you to the dance?” “I wish!” [=I wish he would ask me to the dance but he hasn't]
-
“Will you be getting the job?” “Don't I wish!”
wish away
[phrasal verb]
wish (something) away
or
wish away (something)
:
to cause (something) to stop or go away just by wanting it to stop or go away
-
You can't just wish your problems away.
wish on
[phrasal verb]
wish (someone or something) on (someone)
:
to want (someone) to have or be affected by (someone or something bad or unpleasant)
-
I wouldn't wish that terrible illness on anyone. [=I wouldn't want anyone to have that terrible illness]
-
I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
-
I wouldn't wish that man on any woman.
you wish
informal or don't you wish
— used to tell people in a rude way that it is unlikely that they will get what they want
-
Give you a kiss? You wish. [=dream on]
-
You think she's going to ask you out? Don't you wish!
2
wish
/ˈwɪʃ/
noun
plural
wishes
2
wish
/ˈwɪʃ/
noun
plural
wishes
Britannica Dictionary definition of WISH
1
[count]
:
a desire for something to happen or be done
:
a feeling of wanting to do or have something
—
see also death wish
-
Please respect my wishes [=please do what I want you to do] and leave me alone.
-
It is my wish that my estate go to my granddaughter. [=I want my estate to go to my granddaughter]
-
He has a wish to be reunited with his son.
-
She has expressed a wish to retire [=has said she wants to retire] within the next two years.
-
I have no wish [=I do not want] to interfere in your plans.
-
It was her dying wish to see them married. [=it was the last thing she wanted before she died]
-
They did it against my wishes. [=they did it even though they knew that I did not want them to do it]
-
They went against their parents' wishes and got married. [=they got married even though they knew that their parents did not want them to]
2
[count]
:
an act of thinking about something that you want and hoping that you will get it or that it will happen in some magical way
-
The genie will grant you three wishes.
-
Close your eyes and make a wish. [=wish for something]
-
I got my wish. = My wish came true. [=I got what I wished for]
3
wishes
[plural]
:
good thoughts or feelings directed toward a person
-
Send her my good/best wishes.
-
Best wishes!
pious wish
your wish is my command
humorous
— used to say that you will do what someone else wants you to do
-
“Could you put these dishes away for me?” “Your wish is my command.”
