Reading Theme:
Wretch Definition, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：a miserable person (wretch)
wretch
/retʃ/
n.
A person who is very unlucky or miserable, and often makes you feel sorry for them.
a miserable person
➕
/ə ˈmɪzərəbəl ˈpɜːrsən/
n.
A person who is in a very unfortunate or pitiful state, often evoking sympathy from others.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'wrecca' meaning 'exile', related to 'wreak'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'wretch' as 'wrench' - a person who wrenches your heart with pity or annoyance.
📖 Example
Seeing the wretch shivering in the cold without a home, she immediately bought him a hot meal.
Seeing the wretch shivering in the cold without a home, she immediately bought him a hot meal.
🔗 Collocations
a poor wretch – a person who is extremely poor and pitiable
a miserable wretch – a person who is deeply unhappy and deserves pity
the poor wretch – used to refer to someone in a pitiful situation
🔄 Synonyms
miserable person (n.) – a person who is suffering or unhappy
unfortunate (n.) – a person who has bad luck
poor soul (n.) – an expression of pity for someone
🚫 Antonyms
fortunate person (n.) – a person who has good luck
happy person (n.) – a person who is content and joyful
blessed one (n.) – a person who is favored by fortune
🌱 Derivatives
wretched (adj.) – in a very unhappy or unfortunate state
wretchedly (adv.) – in a wretched manner
wretchedness (n.) – the state of being wretched
📖 Cultural Story
Originally 'wrecca' meant 'exile' in Old English. Over time, it shifted to describe a miserable person, and later a playful term for a mischievous child, e.g., in 'Oliver Twist'.
Meaning 2：a mischievous person (wretch)
wretch
/retʃ/
n.
Used to call someone whose behavior is annoying or contemptible, but often in a playful or slightly affectionate way.
a mischievous person
➕
/ə ˈmɪstʃɪvəs ˈpɜːrsən/
n.
Used affectionately or playfully to address someone who has done something annoying but not serious.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
"You little wretch! You ate the last piece of my birthday cake!" she said, trying to sound angry but couldn't hide a smile.
She called him a little wretch for eating the last piece of her birthday cake, but she couldn't hide a smile.
🔗 Collocations
you little wretch – an affectionate or playful scolding address
the cheeky wretch – a person who is boldly mischievous
that wretch – used to refer to someone who has done something irritating but amusing
🔄 Synonyms
rascal (n.) – a mischievous or cheeky person, often endearingly
scamp (n.) – a playful, mischievous person
mischief-maker (n.) – someone who causes minor trouble or pranks
🚫 Antonyms
angel (n.) – a very well-behaved or innocent person
saint (n.) – a person of great virtue or patience
goody two-shoes (n.) – a person who is excessively virtuous or well-behaved
🌱 Derivatives
wretched (adj.) – in a very unhappy or unfortunate state (also used intensively, e.g., 'wretched child')
wretchedly (adv.) – in a wretched manner
wretchedness (n.) – the state of being wretched
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