Wishes: meaning, definitions and examples

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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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "wishes" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desejos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‡เคšเฅเค›เคพเคเค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wรผnsche

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ keinginan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะฑะฐะถะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ลผyczenia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ก˜ใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท souhaits

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ deseos

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท dilekler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†Œ์›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃู…ุงู†ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™รกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลพelania

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ„ฟๆœ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลพelje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณskir

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ั–ะปะตะบั‚ะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒฃแƒ แƒ•แƒ˜แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ arzu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ deseos

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.