Oxford Essential Dictionary
wish
noun (plural wishes)
1 a feeling that you want to do or have something:
I have no wish to go.
2 an act of trying to make something happen by saying you want it to happen or hoping that it will happen:
Close your eyes and make a wish!
best wishes words that you write at the end of a letter, before your name, to show that you hope somebody is well and happy:
See you soon. Best wishes, Lucy.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
II. wish2 S3 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1. a desire to do something, to have something, or to have something happen
wish of
It’s important to listen to the wishes of the patient.
wish to do something
Despite her wish to continue working, she was forced to retire at the age of 62. ⇨ death wish
2. a silent request for something to happen as if by magic:
Close your eyes and make a wish.
3. against sb’s wishes if you do something against someone’s wishes, you do it even though you know they do not want you to:
She’d left school against her mother’s wishes.
go against sb’s wishes (=do something against their wishes)
4. best/good/warmest etc wishes used, especially in cards and letters, to say that you hope someone will be happy, successful, or healthy
best/good/warmest etc wishes for
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
She asked me to pass on her good wishes to all her friends and colleagues.
(With) best wishes (=used at the end of a letter before you sign your name)
With best wishes, Celia.
5. have no wish to do something formal used to emphasize that you do not want or intend to do something:
I have no wish to speak to her ever again.
6. your wish is my command used humorously to say that you will do whatever someone asks you to do
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a wish (=silently ask for something that you want to happen) He blew out the candles and made a wish.
▪ get/have your wish (=get what you want) She wanted him to leave, and she got her wish.
▪ grant/fulfil somebody's wish (=give someone what they want) His parents would now be able to grant his wish.
▪ express a wish He expressed a wish to go to the United States.
▪ respect sb’s wishes (=do what someone wants) We have to respect his wishes.
▪ ignore sb’s wishes It is important not to ignore the wishes of the patient.
■ phrases
▪ somebody's wish comes true His wish came true when he was called up to play for England.
■ adjectives
▪ sb’s greatest/deepest wish (also sb’s dearest wish British English) (=what they want most of all) Her greatest wish was to see her parents again.
▪ sb’s last/final/dying wish Her last wish was to be buried in her husband’s grave.
▪ a fervent wish (=a strong wish) To die for Ireland was the fervent wish of every true patriot.
■ adverbs
▪ contrary to somebody's wishes (=against what someone has said they want) Contrary to her parents' wishes, she decided not to go to university.
▪ in accordance with somebody's wishes formal (=following what someone wants) In accordance with his wishes, he was buried next to his first wife.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
noun
1. countable a desire or a feeling that you want to do sth or have sth
• ~ (to do sth) She expressed a wish to be alone.
• He had no wish to start a fight.
• His dearest wish (= what he wants most of all) is to see his grandchildren again.
• ~ for sth I can understand her wish for secrecy.
• ~ that… It was her dying wish that I should have it.
2. countable a thing that you want to have or to happen
• to carry out sb's wishes
• I'm sure that you will get your wish.
• She married against her parents' wishes.
3. countable an attempt to make sth happen by thinking hard about it, especially in stories when it often happens by magic
• Throw some money in the fountain and make a wish.
• The genie granted him three wishes.
• The prince's wish came true.
4. wishes plural ~ (for sth) used especially in a letter or card to say that you hope that sb will be happy, well or successful
• We all send our best wishes for the future.
• Give my good wishes to the family.
• With best wishes (= for example, at the end of a letter)
Word Origin:
Old English wȳscan, of Germanic origin; related to German wünschen, also to wont.
Example Bank:
• Draw up a wish list, defining the requirements for your ideal home.
• Every good wish for your future happiness together.
• Freud's theory of the death wish
• Give my best wishes to Alison.
• He was denied his dying wish to be reconciled with his son.
• Her father will not speak to her, because she married against his wishes.
• I have no wish to cause any trouble among them.
• If you're the one who finds the hidden box, you get a wish.
• In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea.
• In his wish to be as helpful as possible, he was forever asking her what she wanted.
• It is vital for schools to respect the wishes of parents.
• Lo and behold, on Christmas Day their wishes came true.
• She eventually went against her family's wishes and published her autobiography.
• She flew into a rage if the staff didn't obey her wishes.
• She fulfilled her deepest wish when she flew solo for the first time.
• She has expressed a wish to seek asylum here.
• She has expressed a wish to visit the Houses of Parliament.
• She's always wanted to be an actress, and I'm sure she'll get her wish.
• Thanks to all those who sent well wishes.
• The Government blatantly ignored the wishes of the public.
• The change to the constitution reflects the wishes of the people who voted in the referendum.
• The committee rode roughshod over the wishes of union members.
• The good fairy granted her three wishes.
• We need to update our equipment if we are to meet customers' wishes.
• When you see a black cat, you have to make a wish.
• With best wishes for a happy birthday.
• a wish for peace
• the child's detention against parental wishes
• He refused to carry out her wishes.
• His dearest wish is to see his grandchildren again.
• I'm sure that you will get your wish.
• She married against her parents' wishes.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
wish / wɪʃ / noun [ C ] (WANT)
B2 a feeling of wanting something:
[ + to infinitive ] Did he express any wish to see me?
In accordance with his wishes (= what he wanted) , he was buried next to his wife.
They've deliberately gone against my wishes and sold the apartment.
[ + that ] It was grandpa's greatest wish that one of his grandchildren would become a doctor.
Word partners for wish noun
comply with / honour / ignore / respect sb's wishes • get your wish • a fervent / final / heartfelt wish • according to / against / contrary to sb's wishes
wish / wɪʃ / noun [ C ] (GREETING)
best wishes A2 something you say or write at the end of a letter to show that you hope someone is happy and has good luck:
He ended the letter "Best wishes, Carlo".
Do give/send Patrick my best wishes.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
With best wishes, Louise Foster.
Word partners for wish noun
comply with / honour / ignore / respect sb's wishes • get your wish • a fervent / final / heartfelt wish • according to / against / contrary to sb's wishes
wish / wɪʃ / noun [ C ] (MAGIC)
C2 a hope that is made real with magical powers:
[ + that ] If I could have just one wish I suppose it would be that all the fighting in the world would stop tomorrow.
Close your eyes and make a wish.
It's that bit in the story where the fairy grants the little girl three wishes.
May all your wishes come true.
Word partners for wish noun
comply with / honour / ignore / respect sb's wishes • get your wish • a fervent / final / heartfelt wish • according to / against / contrary to sb's wishes
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
wish
[wɪ̱ʃ]
♦♦
wishes, wishing, wished
1) N-COUNT: oft with poss A wish is a desire or strong feeling that you want to have something or do something.
She was sincere and genuine in her wish to make amends for the past...
Clearly she had no wish for conversation...
She wanted to go everywhere in the world. She soon got her wish...
The decision was made against the wishes of the party leader.
Syn:
desire
9) N-PLURAL: adj N (politeness) If you express your good wishes towards someone, you are politely expressing your friendly feelings towards them and your hope that they will be successful or happy.
I found George's story very sad. Please give him my best wishes...
Western leaders sent good wishes to the new American president.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
wish
2wish noun, pl wishes
1 [count] : a desire for something to happen or be done : a feeling of wanting to do or have something
• Please respect my wishes [=please do what I want you to do] and leave me alone.
• It is my wish that my estate go to my granddaughter. [=I want my estate to go to my granddaughter]
• He has a wish to be reunited with his son.
• She has expressed a wish to retire [=has said she wants to retire] within the next two years.
• I have no wish [=I do not want] to interfere in your plans.
• It was her dying wish to see them married. [=it was the last thing she wanted before she died]
• They did it against my wishes. [=they did it even though they knew that I did not want them to do it]
• They went against their parents' wishes and got married. [=they got married even though they knew that their parents did not want them to]
- see also death wish
2 [count] : an act of thinking about something that you want and hoping that you will get it or that it will happen in some magical way
• The genie will grant you three wishes.
• Close your eyes and make a wish. [=wish for something]
• I got my wish. = My wish came true. [=I got what I wished for]
3 wishes [plural] : good thoughts or feelings directed toward a person
• Send her my good/best wishes.
• Best wishes!
pious wish
your wish is my command humorous
- used to say that you will do what someone else wants you to do
• “Could you put these dishes away for me?” “Your wish is my command.”