wind
gb/wˈɪnd/ us/wˈɪnd/
A2
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
Moving air in nature
Air that moves outside because of weather.
Usage pattern:
the wind [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'wind' (moving air) with 'wind' (to turn something). Pronunciation also differs: /wɪnd/ for moving air, /waɪnd/ for the verb.
Synonyms
breeze (Usually refers to a gentler or lighter wind.)
Antonyms
calm (Refers to a lack of wind or still air.)
Collocations
strong wind
|cold wind
|gust of wind
|wind speed
|wind direction
Themes
weather
|nature
|daily life
Examples
- The wind was so strong it knocked over the trash cans.
- A cold wind blew in from the north.
- The trees swayed gently in the evening wind.
- The sailors waited for the wind to change direction.
- Wind speeds reached 60 miles per hour during the storm.
Learner examples
- The wind is very cold today.
- I can hear the wind outside my window.
- The wind moved the leaves on the tree.
- The wind is coming from the east.
Verb
B1
action
2
Turn or twist around
To turn something around many times, often into a circle or spiral shape.
Usage pattern:
to wind [something] around [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'wind' (turn something) with 'wind' (air movement) because of identical spelling but different pronunciation.
Synonyms
coil (Emphasizes forming loops or spirals, often more deliberate and neat.)
Antonyms
unwind (Means to undo the winding or twisting of something.)
Collocations
wind a clock
|wind a rope
|wind thread around
Themes
daily life
|manual actions
|daily_life
Examples
- She wound the scarf around her neck.
- He wound the rope neatly around the post.
- You need to wind the string tightly so it doesn’t come loose.
- Wind the wire carefully to avoid kinks.
Learner examples
- Please wind the string around the box.
- He winds the rope around the pole.
- I wind my scarf when it is cold.
- Wind the tape slowly.
Verb
B1
action
3
Turn handle/key to operate
To make something work by turning a handle or key again and again.
Usage pattern:
to wind [something] up/down
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think modern watches need winding, but many are battery-powered.
Synonyms
crank (More specific to turning a handle in certain devices.)
Antonyms
unwind (In mechanical contexts, means to release tension from a wound mechanism.)
Collocations
wind a watch
|wind a toy
|wind a clock
Themes
technology
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- Don’t forget to wind your watch before bed.
- He wound up the old toy car and set it on the floor.
- You have to wind this clock every morning.
Learner examples
- I need to wind my watch every day.
- Wind up the toy and it will move.
- Please wind the clock before you sleep.
Noun
B2
property
4
Breath for activity or speech
How much you can breathe when running or talking.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'wind' meaning moving air, but here it refers to breath in your body.
Synonyms
breath (General term for inhaled/exhaled air, not just capacity.)
Antonyms
breathlessness (Refers to being unable to breathe easily.)
Collocations
out of wind
|get your wind back
Themes
health
|sports
|body
Examples
- He had to stop running to catch his wind.
- After the climb, she was out of wind.
- The boxer took a moment between rounds to get his wind back.
Learner examples
- I need to stop and get my wind back.
- He ran fast and lost his wind.
- She was out of wind after running upstairs.
Verb
B1
action
5
Move along a curving path
To go in a path that curves and turns many times.
Usage pattern:
to wind through/around [something]
Synonyms
meander (Often suggests aimless or leisurely winding movement.)
Antonyms
straighten (To make something have no curves or bends.)
Collocations
winding road
|path winds through
Themes
travel
|nature
|space
Examples
- The river winds through the valley.
- The path winds around the old castle.
- The road winds up the mountain.
Learner examples
- The river winds through the forest.
- We walked on a road that winds up the hill.
- The path winds around big rocks.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wind
IPA
GB/wˈɪnd/
US/wˈɪnd/
Syllables & stress
wind (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (wind)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: wind
- Plural: wind, winds
Verb
- Base: wind
- 3rd Person Singular: winds
- Present Participle: winding
- Past: winded, wound
- Past Participle: wound
Word family
Forms
Core family
windy
adjective A2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
windless
adjective
Advanced or less common
headwind
noun
tailwind
noun
windswept
adjective
downwind
adverb
Highlights
- Irregular past participle: wound Verb
Expressions
get wind of
3/ɡˈɛt wˈɪnd əv/
idiom
Learn something secretly/indirectly
To hear news or information about something, often by accident or secretly.
Examples
- The police got wind of the robbery before it happened.
- I don’t want my boss to get wind of my plans.
in the wind
4/ˈɪn ðə wˈɪnd/
idiom
Likely happening soon (unofficial)
People think something will happen soon, but it is not sure yet.
Examples
- There are changes in the wind at the company.
- Rumors of a merger are in the wind.
sail close to the wind
5/sˈeɪl klˈoʊs tə ðə wˈɪnd/
idiom
Act near rule limits without breaking them fully
To do something that is almost against the law or rules, but not quite breaking them.
Examples
- That politician is sailing close to the wind with his campaign financing.
- Their marketing tactics sail close to the wind.
second wind
1/sˈɛkənd wˈɪnd/
idiom
Renewed energy after tiredness
A sudden return of energy when you were tired before.
Examples
- After a short break, I got my second wind and finished the race.
- He seemed exhausted but got his second wind after dinner.
throw caution to the wind
2/θɹˈoʊ kˈɔʃən tə ðə wˈɪnd/
idiom
Ignore risk or danger completely
To do something without thinking about possible problems or danger.
Examples
- She threw caution to the wind and invested all her money in stocks.
- They threw caution to the wind and went on an unplanned trip.
throw caution to the wind
6/θɹˈoʊ kˈɔʃən tə ðə wˈɪnd/
idiom
act without caring about risk
To do something without worrying about danger, risk, or bad results.
Examples
- They threw caution to the wind and invested all their savings in the start-up.
- For one night she threw caution to the wind and stayed out dancing until dawn.
- He decided to throw caution to the wind and quit his job to travel.