📖 W — The English dictionary · page 32

wrangling — Everyday, meaning 1: Noisy and long argument between people, or the act of arguing in this way.↗ Example: The wrangling went on until night.↗ · Their wrangling woke the whole house.↗ · All that wrangling got them nowhere.↗

wrap — Everyday, meaning 1: To wrap means to cover something by folding paper, cloth or plastic around it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To wrap also means to put something like your arms or a scarf around someone.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A wrap is a thin flat bread rolled around a filling.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: A wrap can be a shawl or blanket, or a material for wrapping, like bubble wrap.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To wrap up means to finish, or to dress warmly.↗ Example: Let's wrap Mum's birthday present.↗ · Wrap up warm; it's freezing outside.↗ · She wrapped her arms around her dog.↗ · I had a chicken wrap for lunch.↗ · Wrap the sandwiches in foil.↗ · The nurse wrapped a bandage around my ankle.↗ · Pop the bubble wrap!↗ · Let's wrap up the lesson with a quiz.↗ · I have no cloth to wrap me.↗

wrapped — Everyday, meaning 1: Covered with paper, cloth or plastic folded around it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Holding something by folding arms around it.↗ e.g. "She wrapped her arms around her mum."↗ Everyday, meaning 3: "Wrapped up in" means busy or very interested in something.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: "Wrapped up" also means dressed warmly.↗ Example: The present was wrapped in shiny paper.↗ · The sandwiches are wrapped in foil.↗ · She wrapped her scarf around her neck.↗ · Stay wrapped up warm in the snow.↗ · He was so wrapped up in his book that he missed the bus.↗ · The nurse wrapped a bandage around my ankle.↗ · He is wrapped in yellow linen, and embalmed with spices.↗ · His roots are wrapped about the heap, he beholdeth the place of stones.↗ (Writings JOB.8.17, JPS 1917)↗ · The waters compassed me about, even to the soul; the deep was round about me; the weeds were wrapped about my head.↗ (Prophets JON.2.6, JPS 1917)↗ · And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave.↗ (Prophets 1KI.19.13, JPS 1917)↗

wrapper — Everyday, meaning 1: A wrapper is the paper, foil or plastic around a candy, a snack or a present.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A wrapper is anything that covers or wraps something else.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A wrapper can also be a loose gown worn at home.↗ Example: Danny found 46 wrappers at the park.↗ · He has 52 wrappers in his collection.↗ · How many more wrappers than bottle caps did he find?↗ · He threw away 10 wrappers.↗ · Put your wrapper in the bin.↗ · The wrapper was shiny and gold.↗ · We picked up wrappers on clean-up day.↗ · Some wrappers can be recycled.↗ · The chocolate wrapper had a prize inside.↗ · Don't drop wrappers in the playground.↗ · "Every winter she wore a wrapper of yellow satin, and it always remained new, and was the only fashion she followed.↗

wrapping — Everyday, meaning 1: Wrapping is paper, plastic or other material used to cover or pack something.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Wrapping is putting paper or cloth around something to cover it, such as a present.↗ Example: We were wrapping presents all evening.↗ · Choose some wrapping paper with stars on it.↗ · Throw the plastic wrapping in the recycling bin if it can be recycled.↗ · The sandwich came in paper wrapping.↗ · To wrap a box, you need enough paper to cover all six faces.↗ · She tore off the wrapping to see her gift.↗ · The prince picked it up, and, wrapping it round with a thick cloth, hid it in his bosom.↗ · These were thy traffickers in gorgeous fabrics, in wrappings of blue and richly woven work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and cedar-lined, among thy merchandise.↗ (Prophets EZK.27.24, JPS 1917)↗

wrasse — Everyday, meaning 1: A wrasse is a brightly coloured sea fish with thick lips, found in warm seas and around rocky coasts and coral reefs.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The cleaner wrasse is a small wrasse that eats tiny pests off bigger fish.↗ Example: A cleaner wrasse swam into the big fish's mouth to clean it.↗ · We saw a green wrasse near the rocks while snorkelling.↗ · Wrasse have thick lips and bright colours.↗ · The cuckoo wrasse is blue and orange.↗ · Fish farms use wrasse to eat lice off salmon.↗ · Big fish wait in line for the cleaner wrasse.↗

wrath — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal, old-fashioned) Very great anger.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (Bible, church) The wrath of God is God's anger at evil and sin, described in many Bible stories.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (humorous) Somebody's anger when you have done something wrong: «Mum's wrath».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Wrath can also mean very angry, used as an adjective.↗ Early Modern English, meaning 1: Very great anger; (as adjective) very angry.↗ Example: The king's wrath was terrible.↗ · The prophets warned of God's wrath against injustice.↗ · We fled before we could face the wrath of the farmer.↗ · Wrath is one of the seven deadly sins.↗ · I'll face Mum's wrath if I'm late again!↗ · «Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.»↗ · And the Tsar was very wrath.↗ · Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people.↗ (Torah EXO.32.12, JPS 1917)↗ · My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.↗ (Torah EXO.22.24, JPS 1917)↗ · And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou overthrowest them that rise up against Thee; Thou sendest forth Thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.↗ (Torah EXO.15.7, JPS 1917)↗ · Then was the king's wrath assuaged.↗ (Writings EST.7.10, JPS 1917)↗ · So will there arise enough contempt and wrath.↗ (Writings EST.1.18, JPS 1917)↗ · How long shall Thy wrath burn like fire?↗ (Writings PSA.89.47, JPS 1917)↗ · Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people.↗ (Torah EXO.32.12, JPS 1917) · And the Tsar was very wrath.↗ (Cossack Fairy Tales and Folk Tales) · My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.↗ (Torah EXO.22.24, JPS 1917)

wrathful — Everyday, meaning 1: Full of great anger; very cross and ready to punish someone.↗ Example: The wrathful giant stamped his feet.↗ · Her wrathful glance made the thief run.↗ · The chieftain's wrathful eyes were like fire.↗ · An angry man stirreth up strife, and a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.↗ (Writings PRO.29.22, JPS 1917)↗ · A wrathful man stirreth up discord; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.↗ (Writings PRO.15.18, JPS 1917)↗ · Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful man thou shalt not go; (Writings PRO.22.24, JPS 1917)↗

wreak — Everyday, meaning 1: To cause harm or damage, especially as a way of getting revenge, as in «wreak vengeance».↗ Example: The witch wanted to wreak revenge on the boy.↗ · He wreaked his anger on the stones.↗ · The storm wreaked havoc on the town.↗

wreath — Everyday, meaning 1: A wreath is a ring of flowers, leaves or branches, used as a decoration or to remember someone who has died.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A wreath of smoke or mist is a ring or curl of it.↗ Example: We hung a holly wreath on our front door.↗ · The children laid a poppy wreath at the memorial.↗ · The winner wore a wreath of laurel leaves.↗ · Mum made a wreath of autumn leaves.↗ · A wreath of smoke curled above the chimney.↗ · They sent a wreath of white lilies to the funeral.↗ · The head is frequently encircled with a wreath of oak-leaves.↗ · And on the plates of the stays thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubim, lions, and palm-trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths round about.↗ (Prophets 1KI.7.36, JPS 1917)↗ · He also made nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars: seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital.↗ (Prophets 1KI.7.17, JPS 1917)↗ · And every base had four brazen wheels, and axles of brass; and the four feet thereof had undersetters; beneath the laver were the undersetters molten, with wreaths at the side of each.↗ (Prophets 1KI.7.30, JPS 1917)↗

wreck — Everyday, meaning 1: A ship, car, plane or building that has been badly damaged or destroyed.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (verb) To damage or destroy something badly.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (verb) To spoil plans or chances: «The rain wrecked our picnic.».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (informal) A person who is very tired, ill or upset: «I'm a wreck.».↗ Example: Divers explored the wreck of the old ship.↗ · The storm wrecked the garden fence.↗ · Don't wreck your sister's sandcastle!↗ · Rain wrecked our plans for a barbecue.↗ · After the long journey, I was a total wreck.↗ · The car was a wreck after the crash, but everyone was safe.↗ · "It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck," they cried.↗

wreckage — Everyday, meaning 1: The broken pieces left after a ship, plane, car or building has been destroyed.↗ Example: The wreckage of the ship lay on the rocks.↗ · Divers found pieces of wreckage on the sea bed.↗ · Fishermen gathered wreckage from the shore.↗

wrecked — Everyday, meaning 1: Wrecked means badly damaged or destroyed: a wrecked car, a wrecked ship.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Wrecked plans or days are spoilt or ruined.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (informal, UK, Australia) Wrecked means very tired.↗ e.g. I'm wrecked after the match.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (slang) Wrecked can mean very drunk — an adult word.↗ Example: The storm wrecked the little fishing boat.↗ · Divers explored the wrecked ship.↗ · The rain wrecked our plans for the beach.↗ · I'm wrecked after cross-country running.↗ · The wrecked car was towed away.↗ · The puppy wrecked my slippers.↗ · The winds drove the ship upon the rocks, and it was wrecked.↗

wren — Everyday, meaning 1: A wren is a tiny brown bird with a short tail that sticks up; it has a very loud song for its size.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (a name) Wren is also a family name, as in Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's Cathedral in London.↗ Example: A wren was singing loudly from the hedge.↗ · The wren is tiny but very loud.↗ · Wrens build round nests with a hole in the side.↗ · Christopher Wren designed St Paul's Cathedral.↗ · The wren's tail sticks straight up.↗ · In Ireland, the wren boys dress up on St Stephen's Day.↗ · "Will you take me?" said the wren.↗

wrench — Everyday, meaning 1: (tool) A metal tool for gripping and turning nuts and bolts; in the UK it is usually called a spanner.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (verb) To pull or twist something suddenly and hard: wrench the door open.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To injure a joint by twisting it: wrench your ankle.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: A sad feeling when you have to leave someone or something: leaving home was a wrench.↗ Example: Pass me the wrench so I can tighten the bolt.↗ · He wrenched the lid off the jar.↗ · She wrenched her ankle playing netball.↗ · Leaving the old house was a real wrench.↗ · The wind wrenched the umbrella from my hand.↗ · Dad used a wrench to fix the bike.↗ · Directly the box was in my hands I wrenched off the cover.↗

wrest — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: To wrest is to pull something away from someone or something by a hard, strong effort.↗ In Jewish tradition, meaning 2: To wrest can also mean to twist something out of a grip.↗ Example: Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.↗ (Torah EXO.23.6, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.↗ (Torah DEU.16.19, JPS 1917)↗ · The knight wrested the sword from the giant's hand.↗ · The heroes wrested the body from the enemy after a long fight.↗ · She wrested the box back from the thief.↗ · Nothing for maths.↗

wrestle — Everyday, meaning 1: To fight by holding and pushing someone, trying to get them to the ground, as a sport or in play.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To struggle hard with a problem or a difficult object: wrestle with homework.↗ Example: The two brothers wrestled on the grass.↗ · He wrestled with the tricky fraction problem for ages.↗ · Mum wrestled the huge suitcase onto the train.↗ · Wrestling is an old Olympic sport.↗ · The puppy wrestled with the rope toy.↗ · I wrestled with the choice between the two books.↗ · And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.↗ (Torah GEN.32.24, JPS 1917)↗ · And Rachel said: 'With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed.'↗ And she called his name Naphtali.↗ (Torah GEN.30.8, JPS 1917)↗ · And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him.↗ (Torah GEN.32.25, JPS 1917)↗

wrestler — Everyday, meaning 1: A wrestler is a person who fights by gripping an opponent and trying to throw him to the ground, in a sport or contest.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In old tales, a wrestler is a strong man who fights and wins contests against others.↗ Example: The wrestler threw his rival to the mat.↗ · Two little wrestlers faced each other.↗ · The wrestler was the strongest man in the village.↗ · Nothing for maths.↗

wrestling — Everyday, meaning 1: Wrestling is a sport in which two people fight by holding each other and trying to throw or pin the other to the ground, without punching.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Wrestling (from the verb) means struggling with someone or something with your body, or struggling hard with a problem: «wrestling with a maths problem».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Professional (TV) wrestling is a show with planned moves and storylines, more acting than real competition.↗ Example: He joined the school wrestling team.↗ · Wrestling was part of the ancient Olympic Games.↗ · We had an arm-wrestling contest.↗ · The puppies were wrestling on the rug.↗ · She was wrestling with a hard maths problem.↗ · Never copy TV wrestling moves at home.↗ · Two wrestlers shook hands before the match.↗ · And Rachel said: 'With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed.'↗ And she called his name Naphtali.↗ (Torah GEN.30.8, JPS 1917)↗