wish

noun countable

UK /wɪʃ/

Word Forms

singular	wish
plural	wishes

1
a feeling that you want something or want to do something
express a wish:
He’d expressed a wish to go there.
respect someone’s wishes:
I have to respect the wishes of my client.
according to someone’s wishes:
He was buried, according to his wishes, in a private ceremony.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of want and desire
desire
wish
urge
1. 1a
  the thing that you want to have or do
  Our one wish is to complete this job thoroughly.
  grant someone’s wish (=give someone what they want):
  So far we have been unable to grant her wish.
  Synonyms and related words
  Things you want or need
  wants
  wish
  the goods
See alsodeath wish
2
something that you hope will happen by magic or by the power of your mind
make a wish (=think about what you want and hope that it will happen):
Make a wish and then blow out the candles.
Synonyms and related words
Magic or supernatural
abracadabra
alchemy
the black arts

phrases

have no wish to do something

your wish is my command

(with) best wishes

wish

noun countable

US /wɪʃ/

Word Forms

singular	wish
plural	wishes

1
a feeling that you want something or want to do something
express a wish:
He’d expressed a wish to go there.
respect someone’s wishes:
I have to respect the wishes of my client.
against someone’s wishes:
She married him against her parents’ wishes.
according to someone’s wishes:
He was buried, according to his wishes, in a private ceremony.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of want and desire
desire
wish
urge
1. 1a
  the thing that you want to have or do
  Our one wish is to complete this job thoroughly.
  get your wish:
  Since you have been so good, you will get your wish to have ice cream for dessert.
  a last wish (=someone’s final wish before they die):
  His last wish was to see his grandson once more.
  grant someone’s wish (=give someone what they want):
  So far we have been unable to grant her wish.
  Synonyms and related words
  Things you want or need
  wants
  wish
  the goods
See alsodeath wish
2
something that you hope will happen by magic or by the power of your mind
make a wish (=think about what you want and hope that it will happen):
Make a wish and then blow out the candles.
Synonyms and related words
Magic or supernatural
abracadabra
alchemy
the black arts

phrases

have no wish to do something

your wish is my command

(with) best wishes

wish

verb

UK /wɪʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	wish
he/she/it	wishes
present participle	wishing
past tense	wished
past participle	wished

1
transitive to want something to happen although it is unlikely
wish (that):
I wish I was rich!
Andy wished that he could think of a way of helping.
I wish Beth would stop interfering.
Synonyms and related words
To want something
want
wish
hope
1. 1a
  used for saying that you feel sorry or disappointed about something that you did or did not do
  I wish I’d never come!
  Now he wished that he had listened more carefully.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of saying you are sorry or regret something
  I’m sorry
  I/we regret to inform/tell you that
  my (humble/deepest/sincere etc) apologies
2
intransitive/transitive formalto want something, or to want to do something
You may have a look around, if you wish.
You can sit as close to the stage as you wish.
wish to do something:
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss the matter.
Synonyms and related words
To want something
want
wish
hope
Synonyms and related words
To want to do something
want
wish
fancy
3
transitive used for saying that you hope that someone enjoys something or that something good happens to them
wish someone a Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas etc:
May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
wish someone luck/happiness/success:
I wish you every success.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of wishing someone well or ill
bless you
have a good/nice something
a plague on someone

phrases

as you wish

I wish

not wish something on anybody/on your worst enemy

wish someone well/ill

you wish

phrasal verbs

wish away

wish for

wish

verb

US /wɪʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	wish
he/she/it	wishes
present participle	wishing
past tense	wished
past participle	wished

1
transitive to want something to happen although it is unlikely
wish (that):
I wish I was rich!
Andy wished that he could think of a way to help.
I wish Beth would stop interfering.
Synonyms and related words
To want something
want
wish
hope
1. 1a
  used for saying that you feel sorry or disappointed about something that you did or did not do
  I wish I’d never come!
  Now he wished that he had listened more carefully.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of saying you are sorry or regret something
  I’m sorry
  I/we regret to inform/tell you that
  my (humble/deepest/sincere etc.) apologies
2
intransitive/transitive formalto want something, or to want to do something
You may have a look around, if you wish.
You can sit as close to the stage as you wish.
wish to do something:
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss the matter.
Synonyms and related words
To want something
want
wish
hope
Synonyms and related words
To want to do something
want
wish
ache
3
transitive used for saying that you hope that someone enjoys something or that something good happens to them
wish someone a Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas etc.:
May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
wish someone luck/happiness/success:
I wish you every success.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of wishing someone well or ill
have a good/nice something
gesundheit
enjoy

phrases

as you wish

I don’t wish to be rude/ungrateful etc.

I wish

not wish something on anybody/on your worst enemy

wish someone well/ill

you wish

phrasal verbs

wish away

wish for

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