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wrap

v. · n.
US //ˈɹæp// UK //ɹˈæp// wrap
  1. 1 to cover or enclose (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to cover something by putting paper, cloth, or plastic around it.

    to enclose an object completely in a flexible material for protection, storage, or as a gift.

    Example

    I need to wrap this gift before we go to the party.

    Example

    The movers carefully wrapped the antique mirror in several layers of bubble wrap to prevent any damage during transit.

  2. 2 to finish filming (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Theatre

    to finish recording a movie, a scene, or a television show.

    to conclude the filming or recording process of a production or a specific segment.

    Example

    The director shouted 'cut' and told the crew they had finally wrapped.

    Example

    After three months of intensive shooting on location, the production team finally wrapped the principal photography last night.

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  1. 3 text formatting (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    to make text move to a new line automatically when it reaches the edge of the screen.

    to cause a continuous line of text to break and continue on a subsequent line when it reaches a margin.

    Example

    If the sentence is too long, the word processor will wrap the text to the next line.

    Example

    The code editor is configured to wrap lines automatically, ensuring that long strings of logic remain visible without horizontal scrolling.

  2. 4 food (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    a type of sandwich made by rolling ingredients inside a soft, flat bread like a tortilla.

    a food item consisting of various fillings rolled in a thin, flexible flatbread.

    Example

    I usually have a chicken wrap and a piece of fruit for lunch.

    Example

    The café offers a variety of gourmet wraps, including a Mediterranean option with hummus, roasted vegetables, and feta cheese.

  3. 5 clothing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a piece of clothing, like a large scarf or shawl, that you wear around your shoulders.

    a loose outer garment or piece of fabric, such as a shawl, worn wrapped around the upper body.

    Example

    She put on a warm wrap before stepping out onto the balcony.

    Example

    The evening gown was accompanied by a silk wrap that provided both elegance and protection against the night air.

  4. 6 covering material (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    material like paper or plastic used to cover or protect something.

    flexible material used for covering, protecting, or containing an item.

    Example

    Keep the leftovers in the fridge covered with plastic wrap.

    Example

    The industrial-strength shrink wrap secured the pallets together, ensuring the cargo remained stable throughout the sea voyage.

Etymology 1

From Middle English wrappen (“to wrap, fold”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to North Frisian wrappe (“to press into; stop up”), dialectal Danish vrappe (“to stuff, cram”), Middle Low German rincworpen (“to envelop, wrap”), Middle Low German wrempen (“to wrinkle, scrunch the face”), all perhaps tied to Proto-Indo-European werp-, werb- (“to turn, twist, bend”). Compare also similar-sounding and similar-meaning Middle English wlappen (“to wrap, lap, envelop, fold”), Middle Dutch lappen (“to wrap up”), Old Italian goluppare (“to wrap”) (from Germanic). Doublet of lap; related to envelop, develop. Also compare Latin verber (“whip, lash”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English wrappe, from the verb (see above).

Word family
Idioms4 entries

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