wish
To want something to happen or be true, even if it may not happen.
To desire that something will occur or be the case, often without the power to make it happen.
A strong feeling of wanting something to happen or be true.
A feeling of wanting something to happen or be true.
To say kind words showing you want someone to be happy or successful.
To express a polite desire for someone's happiness, success, or well-being.
To say you want something different from what is real now or happened before.
To express that you would like a situation to be different from what it is, often about the past or present unreal situations.
- Base: wish
- Plural: wish, wishes
- Base: wish
- 3rd Person Singular: wishes
- Present Participle: wishing
- Past: wished
best wishes
1Polite close with good feelings
'Best wishes' means kind words at the end of a letter, card, or meeting showing you want good things for someone.
- Best wishes for your retirement!
- Please give my best wishes to your family.
make a wish
1Think of desire by tradition
To think of something you want when doing something traditional like blowing out candles or seeing a shooting star.
- Close your eyes and make a wish before you blow out the candles.
- She made a wish when she saw the first star in the evening sky.
wish away
1Hope problem disappears without action
To hope a problem will go away without doing anything about it.
- You can't just wish away your responsibilities.
- She tried to wish away her fears instead of facing them.
wish someone well
1Express hope for happiness/success
To say you hope someone will be happy, healthy, or successful.
- We all wish you well in your new role.
- His friends wished him well before he left for the trip.
be careful what you wish for
1Warning that desires may backfire
Used to warn someone that they might not like what happens if they get what they want.
- You want more responsibility? Be careful what you wish for—it might be more work than you think.
- He wanted fame, but now he hates the attention—be careful what you wish for.
- She got the promotion, but now she's stressed all the time. Be careful what you wish for.
- Be careful what you wish for; winning the lottery isn't always a blessing.