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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Wish: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：hope for something unlikely (wish)

wish 🔊

/wɪʃ/

v./n.

To want something to happen, but you know it might not.

Person blowing birthday candles with hopeful expression

hope for something unlikely 🔊

➕

/hoʊp fɔːr ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌnˈlaɪkli/

v./n.

To have a desire for something that is not certain to happen; often used for unrealistic dreams.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'wȳscan', meaning 'to desire'.

💡 Mnemonic

Wish = 'wi-sh', like 'I wish for shiny things' — connects sound to desire.

📖 Example

He looked up at the cloudy sky and wished it wouldn't rain during their picnic. 🔊 He looked up at the cloudy sky and wished it wouldn't rain during their picnic.

🔗 Collocations

make a wish – To express a desire, often before blowing out candles or seeing a shooting star.

wish for – To desire or hope for something.

wish upon a star – To make a wish while looking at a star, believing it may come true.

🔄 Synonyms

desire (v.) – To strongly want or wish for something.

hope (v.) – To want something to happen, with some expectation it might.

yearn (v.) – To have an intense longing for something.

🚫 Antonyms

dismiss (v.) – To stop thinking about or refuse to consider a desire.

ignore (v.) – To pay no attention to a wish or desire.

reject (v.) – To refuse to accept or consider a wish.

🌱 Derivatives

wishful (adj.) – Having or expressing a wish; hopeful.

wisher (n.) – A person who makes a wish.

wishfully (adv.) – In a manner that expresses a wish.

📖 Cultural Story

The tradition of making a wish on a shooting star or birthday candles dates back centuries, symbolizing hope and the desire for something beyond one's control.

Meaning 2：make a polite request (wish)

wish 🔊

/wɪʃ/

v./n.

To politely ask for something you want.

Customer politely raising hand to request waiter

make a polite request 🔊

➕

/meɪk ə pəˈlaɪt rɪˈkwɛst/

v./n.

To express a desire for something in a formal or polite manner, often used in service contexts.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I wish to order the vegetable pasta and a glass of water, please. 🔊 I wish to order the vegetable pasta and a glass of water, please.

🔗 Collocations

wish to – Used to express a polite desire to do something.

as you wish – A formal way of saying that you will do what someone wants.

if you wish – Used to politely offer a choice.

🔄 Synonyms

request (v.) – To ask for something politely.

solicit (v.) – To ask for something earnestly or formally.

desire (v.) – To want something; can be used in polite requests.

🚫 Antonyms

demand (v.) – To ask for something forcefully.

command (v.) – To give an order.

insist (v.) – To demand something persistently.

🌱 Derivatives

wishful (adj.) – Having or expressing a wish; hopeful.

wisher (n.) – A person who makes a wish.

wishfully (adv.) – In a manner that expresses a wish.

Meaning 3：offer good wishes (wish)

wish 🔊

/wɪʃ/

v./n.

To say good things to someone, hoping they will be happy or successful.

Hand writing Best Wishes in cursive on card

offer good wishes 🔊

➕

/ˈɒfər ɡʊd ˈwɪʃɪz/

v./n.

To express kind hopes for someone's well-being, success, or happiness, as in a greeting card or conversation.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

They all signed the card to wish her a quick recovery from her illness. 🔊 They all signed the card to wish her a quick recovery from her illness.

🔗 Collocations

best wishes – An expression of hope for someone's happiness or success.

wish someone well – To hope that someone has good fortune.

wish for – To desire something for someone.

🔄 Synonyms

bless (v.) – To ask for divine favor or express good wishes.

hope (v.) – To want something good to happen for someone.

congratulate (v.) – To express pleasure at someone's success or good fortune.

🚫 Antonyms

curse (v.) – To express a wish that something bad happens to someone.

condemn (v.) – To express strong disapproval.

lament (v.) – To express grief or regret.

🌱 Derivatives

wishful (adj.) – Having or expressing a wish; hopeful.

wisher (n.) – A person who makes a wish.

wishfully (adv.) – In a manner that expresses a wish.