Meaning & use

wish

verb·Everyday

To want or hope for something, especially something that may be difficult or impossible to have.

See it in a sentence

She closed her eyes and wished for good weather on the day of the wedding.

I wish I had studied harder before taking that exam.

A note on using this word

Wish is often followed by a past-tense verb to express regret about something that is not true, as in I wish I knew.

Words with a similar meaning

hopedesirelong for

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A feeling of wanting something to happen, or the thing that is desired.

Her only wish was for her family to be healthy and together.

Make it your own

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