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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | wyscan |
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wish1 S1 W1
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 [= like]
The cook will prepare whatever you wish.
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.
I wish to make a complaint.If you wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact me. (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.'
'I'd like it to be ready by six.' 'Just as you wish, sir.'The cook will prepare whatever you wish.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.
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.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.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!We wish them every happiness in their new home. wish somebody well (=say that you hope that good things will happen to someone) My friends wished me well in my new job.
My friends wished me well in my new job.4 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.
I couldn't wish for a nicer/better etc ...
also the nicest/best etc ... I could wish forI couldn't wish for a better husband.It's the best birthday present I could have wished for.5 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!
I wish (that) somebody would do something
spokenI 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.
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.
One day she found a magic ring that brought her whatever she wished for.7 used to say that something is not true, but you wish it was : 'I think he really likes you.' 'I wish!'
I wish!
spoken'I think he really likes you.' 'I wish!'8 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!'
you wish!
spoken'I'm going to be famous one day.' 'You wish!'9 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.
wouldn't wish something on/upon somebody
spokenHaving your house broken into is terrible. I wouldn't wish it on anybody.10 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.
I don't wish to interfere/be nosy etc
British English spoken formalI don't wish to seem ungrateful, but it's not quite what I expected.11 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!'
I (only) wish I knew
British English spoken'Where on earth have they gone?' 'I wish I knew!'wish something ↔ away
phrasal verb1 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!
You can't just wish your problems away, you know!2 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.
wish your life away
Don't wish your life away.WORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE: 
wish, hope, want, would like Use wish to talk about things that are not true, not possible, or very unlikely • I wish I knew more about science. • She wished she hadn't said anything. • I wish I could win the lottery. Use hope to talk about things that could happen, could have happened, or could be true • I hope you have a happy birthday. • I hope they got there in time. !! Do not use wish + (that) to say that you want something to happen in the future. Use hope • I hope (NOT wish) that we'll all meet again soon. • I hope you have a great time. You can use wish + noun in polite expressions meaning that you want someone to have something • We wish you a safe journey. • I wish you lots of luck.!! Wish to is very formal. Use want to or would like to to say what you want to happen • I want to write to him but I don't know his address. • I would like to run my own restaurant.
tenses with 'wish'Things that you want to happen in the present or future Use wish + past tense or wish + would • I wish I didn't have to go. • I wish they would stop arguing. You can use that or leave it out • I wish that he would help more.!! 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.Things that you want to have happened in the past Use wish + past perfect tense • I wish I had paid more attention in class.
WORD CHOICE: wish, hope, want, would like Use wish to talk about things that are not true, not possible, or very unlikely • I wish I knew more about science. • She wished she hadn't said anything. • I wish I could win the lottery. Use hope to talk about things that could happen, could have happened, or could be true • I hope you have a happy birthday. • I hope they got there in time. !! Do not use wish + (that) to say that you want something to happen in the future. Use hope • I hope (NOT wish) that we'll all meet again soon. • I hope you have a great time. You can use wish + noun in polite expressions meaning that you want someone to have something • We wish you a safe journey. • I wish you lots of luck.!! Wish to is very formal. Use want to or would like to to say what you want to happen • I want to write to him but I don't know his address. • I would like to run my own restaurant.
tenses with 'wish'Things that you want to happen in the present or future Use wish + past tense or wish + would • I wish I didn't have to go. • I wish they would stop arguing. You can use that or leave it out • I wish that he would help more.!! 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.Things that you want to have happened in the past Use wish + past perfect tense • I wish I had paid more attention in class.
