Definitions
01metal thread
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. a thin, flexible thread of metal.
n. a slender, pliable rod or strand of metal, typically formed by drawing the metal through a die.
“He used a small piece of wire to fix the broken fence.”
“The sculptor manipulated the copper wire into intricate shapes, creating a delicate skeleton for the clay model.”
02electrical conductor
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a metal thread that carries electricity or signals.
n. a metallic conductor used to transmit electrical power or telecommunications signals.
Español:cable
“Be careful not to touch the live wire behind the washing machine.”
“The technician identified a frayed wire in the control panel as the primary cause of the intermittent power failure.”
03hidden microphone
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Slang
n. a tiny microphone hidden on a person to record a conversation secretly.
n. a concealed electronic eavesdropping device worn by an individual for the purpose of gathering evidence.
“The undercover officer was wearing a wire to record the meeting with the gang.”
“Despite the risk of discovery, the informant agreed to wear a wire during the high-stakes negotiation with the cartel leaders.”
Synonyms
04the finish line
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports
n. the finish line of a race, especially in horse racing.
n. the finishing line of a racetrack; often used figuratively in the phrase 'down to the wire' to indicate a close competition.
“The two horses were neck and neck as they crossed the wire.”
“The election results were so close that the candidates remained tied until the final votes were counted, taking the contest down to the wire.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
05to install electricity
B1 · Intermediate
v. to put electrical cables into a building or piece of equipment.
v. to equip a structure or device with a system of electrical conductors.
“It took the electricians three days to wire the new house.”
“The contractor insisted on hiring a specialist to wire the server room to ensure the cooling systems and power backups were properly integrated.”
Synonyms
06to send money or a message
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to send money or a message using an electronic system.
v. to transmit funds or information via a telecommunications or electronic transfer system.
“My parents had to wire me some money after I lost my wallet on holiday.”
“The corporation chose to wire the funds immediately to secure the acquisition before the close of the fiscal quarter.”
07to fasten
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to tie or fasten something using metal wire.
v. to bind, secure, or fasten an object using metallic strands.
“He wired the gate shut so the dog couldn't get out.”
“The gardener carefully wired the climbing roses to the trellis to encourage them to grow upward.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “wire” in context.
Verb
01. connect the wires
“Make sure you connect the wires correctly or the device will not power on.”
verb + noun
02. cut the wire
“The electrician had to cut the wire to install the new light fixture safely.”
verb + noun
03. wire money to a relative
“She needed to wire money to a relative who was stranded abroad without any cash.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. barbed wire
“The prison was surrounded by a high fence topped with sharp barbed wire.”
adj + noun
05. copper wire
“Most household electrical systems use copper wire because it is an excellent conductor.”
adj + noun
06. exposed wire
“Be careful not to touch that exposed wire because it could give you a nasty shock.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. coil of wire
“He bought a large coil of wire to repair the fence around the garden.”
noun + of + noun
08. wire fence
“The sheep were kept safely inside the field by a sturdy wire fence.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“This guy had created this incredible headdress from silver wire, combined with the long chain around his neck.” “Electric current flows through the wire like water through a river.” Etymology
From Middle English wir, wyr, from Old English wīr (“wire, metal thread, wire-ornament”), from Proto-Germanic wīraz (“wire”), from Proto-Indo-European weh₁iros (“a twist, thread, cord, wire”), from *weh₁y- (“to turn, twist, weave, plait”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Idioms
The word in film
The Wire · Crime
- Starring:
- Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Seth Gilliam
Set in the city of Baltimore, this famous crime drama follows police officers who use hidden microphones and electronic surveillance to catch drug dealers. Dominic West stars as a detective trying to gather evidence against powerful criminal organizations.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/wire
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0