wish

/wi /
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wish

She closes her eyes and makes a birthday wish.

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.
wish

She closes her eyes and makes a birthday wish.

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