# wish

/ˈwɪʃ/ (US) · /wˈɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wish
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to want the impossible

verb · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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'.

- I wish I could speak Italian so I could talk to my neighbors.
- Many residents wish the city council would reconsider the demolition of the historic library before construction begins next month.

### 2. to want to do something

verb · CEFR B1 · Formal

to want to do something or to have something happen.

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

- If you wish to leave the meeting early, please let us know.
- The passengers who wish to upgrade to business class should proceed to the service desk before boarding commences.

### 3. to offer a greeting

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

- We wished him a happy birthday and gave him a small gift.
- The outgoing president wished her successor the best of luck in navigating the complex economic challenges ahead.

### 4. a desire or hope

noun · CEFR A2

a feeling that you want something to happen.

For teachers: a desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific outcome.

- It was his father's wish that he should study medicine at university.
- The charity works tirelessly to fulfill the final wishes of children suffering from terminal illnesses.

### 5. a magical request

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- Close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candles.
- In the folk tale, the fisherman is granted a single wish by the golden fish he rescued from the net.

## Examples

- She made a wish before blowing out the candles.
- The manager granted his wish to work from home two days a week to help with childcare.
- Despite her personal wish for a quiet retirement, she felt a moral obligation to continue her advocacy work for another decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.