What does "wish" mean?

1. (to want the impossible) to want something to be true or to happen, even though it is impossible or unlikely. 2. (to want to do something) to want to do something or to have something happen. 3. (to offer a greeting) to say that you hope someone has a good day, a happy birthday, or success. 4. (a desire or hope) a feeling that you want something to happen. 5. (a magical request) a request for something to happen by magic, like when you blow out birthday candles.

Is it correct to say "I wish I am taller."?

No — say "I wish I were taller.". When wishing for something that isn't true right now, use the past tense (or 'were' for the verb 'to be').

wish

v. · n.

US //ˈwɪʃ// UK //wˈɪʃ// wish

1 to want the impossible (v.)
A2 Elementary

to want something to be true or to happen, even though it is impossible or unlikely.

to desire a state of affairs that is contrary to fact or unlikely to occur; typically followed by a clause in the past tense or 'would'.

Example

I wish I could speak Italian so I could talk to my neighbors.

Example

Many residents wish the city council would reconsider the demolition of the historic library before construction begins next month.
- desire
- long for
- hope
Pitfall

I wish I am taller.

I wish I were taller.

When wishing for something that isn't true right now, use the past tense (or 'were' for the verb 'to be').
2 to want to do something (v.)
B1 Intermediate Formal

to want to do something or to have something happen.

to desire or request to perform an action; often used as a more formal alternative to 'want'.

Example

If you wish to leave the meeting early, please let us know.

Example

The passengers who wish to upgrade to business class should proceed to the service desk before boarding commences.

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3 to offer a greeting (v.)
A2 Elementary

to say that you hope someone has a good day, a happy birthday, or success.

to express a hope or a greeting directed toward someone else; functions as a ditransitive verb.

Example

We wished him a happy birthday and gave him a small gift.

Example

The outgoing president wished her successor the best of luck in navigating the complex economic challenges ahead.
- bid
- offer
4 a desire or hope (n.)
A2 Elementary

a feeling that you want something to happen.

a desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific outcome.

Example

It was his father's wish that he should study medicine at university.

Example

The charity works tirelessly to fulfill the final wishes of children suffering from terminal illnesses.
5 a magical request (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a request for something to happen by magic, like when you blow out birthday candles.

an expression of desire often associated with supernatural intervention or ritualistic acts.

Example

Close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candles.

Example

In the folk tale, the fisherman is granted a single wish by the golden fish he rescued from the net.
- invocation

Origin

From Middle English wisshen, wischen, wüschen, from Old English wȳsċan (“to wish”), from Proto-West Germanic wunskijan, from Proto-Germanic wunskijaną (“to wish”), from Proto-Indo-European *wenh₁- (“to wish, love”). Cognate with Scots wis (“to wish”), Saterland Frisian wonskje (“to wish”), West Frisian winskje (“to wish”), Dutch wensen (“to wish”), German wünschen (“to wish”), Luxembourgish wënschen (“to wish”), Yiddish ווינטשן (vintshn, “to wish”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål ønske (“to wish”), Faroese ynskja (“to wish, to desire”), Icelandic æskja, óska (“to wish”), Norwegian Nynorsk ønskja, ønskje, ønska, ønske, ynskja, ynskje (“to wish, to desire”), Swedish önska (“to wish”). Via PIE cognate with Latin Venus, veneror (“venerate, honour, love”), English wonder.

Idioms2 entries