wish
[verb]
Synonyms:
- want, aspire, crave, desire, hanker, hope, long, yearn
[noun]
Synonyms:
- desire, aspiration, hope, intention, urge, want, whim, will

---

Related Words: expect, hope, fancy

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. wish¹ S1 W1 /wɪʃ/ verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: wyscan]

1. [intransitive and transitive] formal if you wish to do something or you wish to have it done for you, you want to do it or want to have it done Synonym : like
wish to do something
I wish to make a complaint.
If you wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact me.
You may leave now, if you wish.
(just) as you wish (=used in formal situations to tell someone you will do what they want)
‘I’d like it to be ready by six.’ ‘Just as you wish, sir.’
The cook will prepare whatever you wish.

REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say want rather than wish:
I want to see the manager.
You can go, if you want.

2. [transitive] to want something to be true although you know it is either impossible or unlikely ⇒ if only
wish (that)
I wish I didn’t have to go to work today.
I wish that I could afford a new car.
He wished Emily were with him.
Sometimes I wish I had never been born.
GRAMMAR
When talking about things that you would like to happen or be true, use wish and the past tense, or wish and would or could:
I wish I lived in New York.
I wish they would explain things better.
In British English, you can either say 'I wish I was’ or 'I wish I were', which is rather formal. In American English, you should use were:
I wish I were ten years younger.
When talking about things that you would like to have happened, use wish and the past perfect tense:
I wish I had paid more attention in class.

3. [transitive] to say that you hope someone will have good luck, a happy life etc
wish somebody something
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We wish them every happiness in their new home.
He shook my hand and wished me luck.
wish somebody well (=say that you hope that good things will happen to someone)
My friends wished me well in my new job.

4. I couldn’t wish for a nicer/better etc ... (also the nicest/best etc ... I could have wished for) used to emphasize that you are very happy with what you have and cannot imagine anyone or anything better:
I couldn’t wish for a better husband.
It’s the best birthday present I could have wished for.

5. I wish (that) somebody would do something spoken used to say that you find someone’s behaviour annoying and want them to change:
I wish you’d stop treating me like a child!

6. [intransitive]
a) to want something to happen or to want to have something, especially when it seems unlikely or impossible ⇒ long for
wish for
It was no use wishing for the impossible.
She was like the sister I never had but always wished for.
b) to silently ask for something you want and hope that it will happen by magic or good luck – used especially in children’s stories
wish for
One day she found a magic ring that brought her whatever she wished for.

7. I wish! spoken used to say that something is not true, but you wish it was:
‘I think he really likes you.’ ‘I wish!’

8. you wish! spoken used to tell someone that what they want to happen or be true will definitely not happen or become true:
‘I’m going to be famous one day.’ ‘You wish!’

9. wouldn’t wish something on/upon somebody spoken used to say that something is very unpleasant and that you would not like anyone to have to experience it:
Having your house broken into is terrible. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.

10. I don’t wish to interfere/be nosy etc British English spoken formal used to show you are sorry if what you are going to say upsets or annoys someone:
I don’t wish to seem ungrateful, but it’s not quite what I expected.

11. I (only) wish I knew British English spoken used to emphasize that you do not know something, and you wish you did know:
‘Where on earth have they gone?’ ‘I wish I knew!’
wish something ↔ away phrasal verb

1. to make something unpleasant disappear by wanting it to disappear, without doing anything about it:
You can’t just wish your problems away, you know!

2. wish your life away to always be thinking about the future, so that you do not do or enjoy things now – used to show disapproval:
Don’t wish your life away.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. wish² S3 noun [countable]

1. a desire to do something, to have something, or to have something happen
wish of
It’s important to listen to the wishes of the patient.
wish to do something
Despite her wish to continue working, she was forced to retire at the age of 62. ⇒ death wish

2. a silent request for something to happen as if by magic:
Close your eyes and make a wish.

3. against sb’s wishes if you do something against someone’s wishes, you do it even though you know they do not want you to:
She’d left school against her mother’s wishes.
go against sb’s wishes (=do something against their wishes)

4. best/good/warmest etc wishes used, especially in cards and letters, to say that you hope someone will be happy, successful, or healthy
best/good/warmest etc wishes for
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
She asked me to pass on her good wishes to all her friends and colleagues.
(With) best wishes (=used at the end of a letter before you sign your name)
With best wishes, Celia.

5. have no wish to do something formal used to emphasize that you do not want or intend to do something:
I have no wish to speak to her ever again.

6. your wish is my command used humorously to say that you will do whatever someone asks you to do

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

wish
noun
I. feeling that you want sth
ADJ. dearest, deepest, fervent, greatest, strong | conscious, unconscious | secret | dying, last He was denied his dying wish to be reconciled with his son.
death Freud's theory of the death wish
personal | parental the child's detention against parental wishes
VERB + WISH have | express, make known She has expressed a wish to visit the Houses of Parliament.
fulfill She fulfilled her deepest wish when she flew solo for the first time.
get She's always wanted to be an actress, and I'm sure she'll get her wish.
grant sb | be responsive to, consider, honour, respect, take into account It is vital for schools to respect the wishes of parents.
carry out, comply with, implement, meet We need to update our equipment if we are to meet customers' wishes.
obey She flew into a rage if the staff didn't obey her wishes.
deny sb | disregard, flout, go against, ignore, override, ride roughshod over The committee rode roughshod over the wishes of union members. | reflect The change to the constitution reflects the wishes of the people who voted in the referendum.
WISH + NOUN fulfilment | list Draw up a wish list, defining the requirements for your ideal home.
PREP. against sb's ~s Her father will not speak to her, because she married against his wishes.
in sb's ~ In his wish to be as helpful as possible, he was forever asking her what she wanted.
in accordance with sb's ~s In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea.
~ for a wish for peace

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

wish
II. saying secretly to yourself what you want to happen
VERB + WISH have, make When you see a black cat, you have to make a wish.
be allowed, get If you're the one who finds the hidden box, you get a wish.
grant The good fairy granted her three wishes.
WISH + VERB come true Lo and behold, on Christmas Day their wishes came true.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

wish
III. (usually wishes) hope that sb will be happy
ADJ. best, good Give my best wishes to Alison.
VERB + WISH give sb, send (sb)
PREP. with ~ (at the end of a letter) With best wishes for a happy birthday.
~ for Every good wish for your future happiness together.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

wish
verb
ADV. dearly, desperately, devoutly, fervently, heartily, really, sincerely I heartily wished that I had stayed at home. I really wish I could go to America.
hard If you wish really hard, maybe you'll get what you want.
secretly | merely, only, simply ‘Where is he now?’ ‘I only wish I knew.’
PREP. for It's no use wishing for the impossible.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

wish

make a wish (=silently ask for something that you want to happen)
He blew out the candles and made a wish.
get/have your wish (=get what you want)
She wanted him to leave, and she got her wish.
grant/fulfil somebody's wish (=give someone what they want)
His parents would now be able to grant his wish.
express a wish
He expressed a wish to go to the United States.
respect sb’s wishes (=do what someone wants)
We have to respect his wishes.
ignore sb’s wishes
It is important not to ignore the wishes of the patient.
somebody's wish comes true
His wish came true when he was called up to play for England.
sb’s greatest/deepest wish (also sb’s dearest wish British English) (=what they want most of all)
Her greatest wish was to see her parents again.
sb’s last/final/dying wish
Her last wish was to be buried in her husband’s grave.
a fervent wish (=a strong wish)
To die for Ireland was the fervent wish of every true patriot.
contrary to somebody's wishes (=against what someone has said they want)
Contrary to her parents' wishes, she decided not to go to university.
in accordance with somebody's wishes formal (=following what someone wants)
In accordance with his wishes, he was buried next to his first wife.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

wish
verb
1.
BAD: I wish you have a wonderful holiday.
GOOD: I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
BAD: I wish you will enjoy your stay here.
GOOD: I hope you will enjoy your stay here.

Usage Note:
Use wish that (+ past/past perfect tense) for things that cannot happen or will probably not happen: 'I wish I hadn't told them my address.' 'I wish you could stay here longer.' (= this will probably not happen)
Use hope that (+ present/present perfect tense) for things that may easily happen or may easily have happened: 'I hope you've had a successful trip.' 'We hope you all have a very merry Christmas.'
When wish is used for this meaning, the object is a noun phrase (NOT a that clause): 'I wish you a safe journey.' 'We'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.'

---

2.
DUBIOUS: I wish to send you a wedding present.
GOOD: I'd like to send you a wedding present.
DUBIOUS: I wish to stay until the end of July but I can't.
GOOD: I'd like to stay until the end of July but I can't.

Usage Note:
When you tell someone what you want (to do), or ask someone what they want (to do), use would like or (especially in informal styles) want : 'I'd like to buy a few postcards.' 'What would you like to do tonight?'
Wish is used with this meaning only in formal styles: 'We wish to apologize for the late arrival of this train.'

---

3.
BAD: I wish that they will stop killing each other.
GOOD: I wish that they would stop killing each other.
BAD: He wishes he can drive a car; taxis are so expensive.
GOOD: He wishes he could drive a car; taxis are so expensive.

Usage Note:
When you are thinking about the present or the future, use wish (that) + would /could/had etc. (NOT will/can/have etc.) 'I wish I knew his telephone number.' 'I wish I didn't have to go to school tomorrow.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲