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wish

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wish

Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling for "wish"

  • IPA: /wɪʃ/

Breakdown by Syllable:

  • Only one syllable: /wɪʃ/

    • /w/: voiceless labial-velar approximant

    • /ɪ/: short front unrounded vowel

    • /ʃ/: voiceless palato-alveolar fricative

Word Form Variations

Wish can function as both a noun and a verb.

Noun Forms:

  • Singular: wish (a desire or hope)

  • Plural: wishes (multiple desires or hopes)

Verb Forms:

  • Base form: wish

  • Present tense: wishes (third person singular), wish (other persons)

  • Present participle: wishing

  • Past tense: wished

  • Past participle: wished

Note: While there are no other common word form variations for "wish," it can be used in different grammatical constructions and phrasal verbs, such as:

  • I wish to see you. (verb + infinitive)

  • I wish that I could fly. (verb + that-clause)

  • Make a wish. (verb in imperative form)

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun

  • Definition: A desire or longing for something that is absent or unattainable.

  • Synonyms: hope, desire, yearning, craving, ambition

  • Antonyms: reality, fulfillment, satisfaction

Verb

  • Definition: To express a desire or hope for something; to want something to happen.

  • Synonyms: hope, desire, crave, yearn, long

  • Antonyms: ignore, disregard, dismiss

Adjective (informal, somewhat dated)

  • Definition: Desirable or pleasing.

  • Synonyms: wanted, desired, coveted

  • Antonyms: unwanted, undesirable, rejected

Note: The adjective form of "wish" is not commonly used in modern English.

Examples of Use

Noun

  • Literature: "She made a wish upon a star, hoping for a prince to come." (This is a common fairy tale trope.)

  • General Public Discourse: "I have a wish to travel the world." (Everyday expression of desire)

Verb

  • Newspapers: "The public wishes for a swift resolution to the crisis." (Used to express collective desire)

  • Online Publications: "I wish I could be there to celebrate with you." (Common expression in social media posts)

  • Entertainment: "The genie granted the sorcerer's wish for eternal life." (From a fantasy movie or TV show)

Adjective (informal, dated)

  • Literature: "He was a wishy-washy man, unable to make decisions." (Used to describe an indecisive person)

  • General Public Discourse: This usage is quite rare in modern English and would be considered outdated.

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Wish

  1. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

  2. "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." - Michael Jordan

  3. "Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song." - Plato

  4. "If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing." - Napoleon Bonaparte

  5. "To wish is easy, to act is hard. To wish and act is rare." - Unknown

  6. "Wishing won't make it so, but believing can." - Original quote

  7. "I wish I could bottle up the feeling of contentment and share it with the world." - Original quote

  8. "Don't wish for things to be easier, wish for yourself to be stronger." - Unknown

  9. "Wishes are like stars, beautiful to look at but out of reach unless you make a wish." - Original quote

  10. "Wishing is a waste of energy unless it's followed by action." - Original quote

Etymology

The Story of the Word "Wish"

Wish comes from a very old language called Proto-Indo-European. Imagine this language as the great-grandparent of many modern languages like English, German, and French.

In this ancient language, there was a word that meant something like "to desire" or "to long for." Over thousands of years, this word changed as people moved around and languages evolved. It ended up in a language called Old English, which is the language spoken in England a long time ago.

In Old English, the word became "wyscan," which meant the same thing as the original word: to wish or desire something. People used it just like we use "wish" today.

So, the next time you make a wish on a star, remember that you're using a word that has been around for thousands of years!

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Wish

Common Phrases

  • Make a wish: To form a desire, often associated with rituals like blowing out candles.

  • Wish someone well: To express good wishes for someone.

  • Wishful thinking: Believing something will happen without evidence.

  • Wish list: A list of desired items or goals.

Less Common Phrases

  • Wish upon a star: To form a desire while looking at a star.

  • Wishy-washy: Indecisive or lacking conviction.

Idioms and Similar Expressions

  • Be careful what you wish for: Something good you wish for might have unexpected negative consequences.

  • I wish! Used to express a strong desire for something unattainable.

  • Your wish is my command: Willingness to do something for someone.

  • Hope against hope: Similar to wishful thinking, but with a stronger sense of desperation.

  • Long for: To desire something intensely.

Note: While there aren't as many idioms specifically using "wish" as with some other words, the word itself is commonly used in various phrases and expressions, often expressing desire or hope.

Posts Related to Wish

Source Information

Definition of wish from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.