wish Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a specific feeling of desire
    wishing; want.
    • he got his wish
    • he was above all wishing and desire
  2. noun an expression of some desire or inclination
    indirect request.
    • I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave
    • his crying was an indirect request for attention
  3. noun (usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
    regard; compliments.
    • give him my kind regards
    • my best wishes
  4. noun the particular preference that you have
    • it was his last wish
    • they should respect the wishes of the people
  5. verb hope for; have a wish
    • I wish I could go home now
  6. verb prefer or wish to do something
    like; care.
    • Do you care to try this dish?
    • Would you like to come along to the movies?
  7. verb make or express a wish
    • I wish that Christmas were over
  8. verb feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of
    wish well.
  9. verb order politely; express a wish for
  10. verb invoke upon
    bid.
    • wish you a nice evening
    • bid farewell

WordNet

Wish intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. wischen, weschen, wuschen, AS. wscan; akin to D. wenschen, G. wünschen, Icel. æeskja, Dan. önske, Sw. önska; from AS. wsc a wish; akin to OD. & G. wunsch, OHG. wunsc, Icel. sk, Skr. vacha a wish, vach to wish; also to Skr. van to like, to wish. . See Winsome, Win, v. t., and cf. Wistful.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Wished ; present participle & verbal noun Wishing
Definitions
  1. To have a desire or yearning; to long; to hanker.
    They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Acts xxvii. 29.
    This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for. Arbuthnot.
Wish transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind or disposition toward.
    I would not wish Any companion in the world but you. Shak.
    I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper. 3. John 2.
  2. To frame or express desires concerning; to invoke in favor of, or against, any one; to attribute, or cal down, in desire; to invoke; to imprecate.
    I would not wish them to a fairer death. Shak.
    I wish it may not prove some ominous foretoken of misfortune to have met with such a miser as I am. Sir P. Sidney.
    Let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil. Ps. xl. 14.
  3. To recommend; to seek confidence or favor in behalf of. Obs. Shak.
    I would be glad to thrive, sir, And I was wished to your worship by a gentleman. B. Jonson.
    Syn. -- See Desire.
Wish noun
Definitions
  1. Desire; eager desire; longing.
    Behold, I am according to thy wish in God a stead. Job xxxiii. 6.
  2. Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation.
    Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish. Shak.
  3. A thing desired; an object of desire.
    Will he, wise, let loose at once his ire . . . To give his enemies their wish! Milton.

Webster 1913