Wishes Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wishes

[หˆwษชสƒษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

make a wish

A desire or hope for something to happen or be true.

Synonyms

aspiration, desire, hope.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
wishes

Used for expressing a desire for something to happen or when offering good intentions to someone.

  • Best wishes for your new job.
  • He sent his wishes for a happy holiday.
desire

Describes a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen, can be used in personal or general contexts. Can sometimes have a negative connotation if it implies longing for something inappropriate or harmful.

  • She expressed her desire to travel the world.
  • His desire for power led to his downfall.
hope

Used when expressing a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, often with a positive or optimistic undertone.

  • I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
  • She has hope for a better future.
aspiration

Used when talking about a strong desire to achieve something high or great, often related to professional or personal goals.

  • Her aspiration to become a doctor was evident from a young age.
  • He has high aspirations for his career.

Examples of usage

  • I closed my eyes and made a wish.
  • She blew out the candles on her birthday cake and made a wish.
  • I have a wish to travel the world one day.
Context #2 | Verb

express a wish

To express a desire for something to happen or be true.

Synonyms

desire, hope for, long for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
wishes

Used when expressing a want or request, often in a polite or formal setting.

  • She wishes to speak with the manager.
  • He sends his best wishes for your speedy recovery.
desire

Used to describe a strong feeling of wanting something or someone, often with emotional intensity.

  • They have a strong desire for freedom.
  • Her desire to succeed is evident in her hard work.
hope for

Used when you want something to happen and are optimistic that it might occur.

  • I hope for good weather tomorrow.
  • She hopes for a promotion at work.
long for

Used when you deeply and emotionally yearn for something, usually for a long time and it often has an element of nostalgia.

  • He longs for the days of his youth.
  • She longs for a vacation by the sea.

Examples of usage

  • She wishes for good health for her family.
  • He wishes he could turn back time and change the past.
  • I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Practices

  • In many cultures, blowing out birthday candles on a cake is a tradition where a person makes a wish.
  • In some places, throwing a coin into a wishing well symbolizes hopes for good fortune.
  • Chinese New Year includes practices where people write down wishes and hang them for good luck.

Psychology

  • Wishes can play a role in motivation, as envisioning a desired outcome can inspire actions towards it.
  • Research shows that articulating your wishes increases happiness and goal commitment.
  • Wishes are often linked to positive outcomes in cognitive behavioral therapy, helping people focus on fulfilling their dreams.

Literature

  • Wishes often feature in fairy tales, where characters make magical wishes that lead to adventure.
  • In Shakespeare's works, characters frequently express their desires, revealing deeper truths about human nature.
  • The famous wish-granting genie from 'Aladdin' has captured imaginations, highlighting the allure of having wishes fulfilled.

Pop Culture

  • The song 'I Wish' by Stevie Wonder expresses heartfelt desires, linking music and personal wishes.
  • Movies like 'The Wish Dragon' explore the journey of making and understanding wishes.
  • Social media platforms have popularized the idea of 'wish lists,' where people can share their desires, from gifts to experiences.

Origin of 'wishes'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'wish' comes from the Old English 'wyscan,' which means 'to desire or want.'
  • In different languages, similar words express the same idea; for example, 'desire' in Latin is 'desiderare.'
  • The concept of wishing has been a part of human language for centuries, showcasing our hopes and dreams.

The word 'wish' originated from the Old English word 'wรฝscan', meaning 'to wish'. It has been used in various forms throughout history to express desires, hopes, and aspirations. Wishing has been a common practice in many cultures and is often associated with superstitions and rituals.


See also: wish, wishing.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,881, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.