Definition

1. Noun:

   • A feeling of wanting something to happen or be true: A desire or hope for a particular thing.
   • A polite expression of a desire for someone's well-being: Often used in the plural form to convey good intentions.
   • An expressed will or command: Something that someone wants to be done.

2. Verb:

   • To desire or hope for something: To feel or express a want for something that is not currently true or present.
   • To express a desire for someone's welfare: To offer hopes for someone's happiness, health, or success.
   • To politely request or prefer: Used to express a polite desire or inclination to do something.

Examples

• Noun:

  • Her greatest wish is to travel the world. (Her strongest desire is to travel the world.)
  • Please send my best wishes to your family. (Please convey my polite hopes for your family's welfare.)
  • It was his dying wish to see his grandson one last time. (It was his final expressed will to see his grandson.)

• Verb:

  • I wish I had more free time. (I desire that I had more free time, but I do not.)
  • We wish you a speedy recovery. (We express a hope for your quick return to health.)
  • Do you wish to continue? (Do you want or prefer to continue?)

Advanced Usage

• "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride": A proverb meaning that merely wishing for things does not make them happen.
  • Dreaming of wealth is easy, but remember: if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
• "To not wish something on someone": To hope that someone does not have to experience something bad.
  • This headache is terrible; I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
• "To wish something away": To hope that something unpleasant will disappear by simply wishing for it.
  • You can't just wish your problems away; you must address them.

Variants and Related Words

• Wishful (adj): Having or showing a desire for something that is not easily attainable.
  • It was just wishful thinking to believe he would change.
• Wisher (n): A person who expresses a wish.
  • The well-wishers gathered to send him off.

Synonyms

• Desire (n/v): A strong feeling of wanting something.
• Hope (n/v): A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.
• Want (v): To have a desire to possess or do something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Wish for: To desire or hope to get something.
  • What did you wish for when you blew out the candles?
• Wish on/upon: To use something (like a star) as the object of a wish; or, to hope that something (usually bad) happens to someone.
  • She wished upon the first star she saw. (Expression of a desire.)
  • He wished bad luck on his rival. (Expression of a negative hope for someone.)

Related Idioms

• "Your wish is my command": A phrase humorously or formally indicating that one is ready to do whatever another person asks.
  • Just tell me what you need—your wish is my command.
• "To make a wish": To express a silent hope, often associated with a ritual like blowing out birthday candles.
  • Close your eyes and make a wish before you cut the cake.

Noun

1. the particular preference that you have
   • it was his last wish
   • they should respect the wishes of the people
2. (usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
   • give him my kind regards
   • my best wishes
3. an expression of some desire or inclination
   • I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave
   • his crying was an indirect request for attention
4. a specific feeling of desire
   • he got his wish
   • he was above all wishing and desire

Verb

1. invoke upon
   • wish you a nice evening
   • bid farewell
2. order politely; express a wish for
3. feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of
4. make or express a wish
   • I wish that Christmas were over
5. prefer or wish to do something
   • Do you care to try this dish?
   • Would you like to come along to the movies?
6. hope for; have a wish
   • I wish I could go home now