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Wretch: meaning, definitions and examples

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wretch

 

[ retʃ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

pitiful creature

A wretch is a pitiful creature, someone who is in a very unfortunate or miserable situation. It can also refer to a person who is despicable or contemptible.

Synonyms

despicable, miserable, unfortunate

Examples of usage

  • He was a wretch, begging on the streets for food.
  • She felt like a wretch after betraying her best friend's trust.
Context #2 | Noun

insulting term

In a more informal context, wretch can be used as an insulting term to describe someone in a derogatory manner.

Synonyms

rascal, scoundrel, villain

Examples of usage

  • Don't listen to him, he's just a wretch trying to bring you down.

Translations

Translations of the word "wretch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desgraçado

🇮🇳 दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण

🇩🇪 Elend

🇮🇩 orang malang

🇺🇦 негідник

🇵🇱 nieszczęśnik

🇯🇵 哀れな人

🇫🇷 misérable

🇪🇸 desdichado

🇹🇷 zavallı

🇰🇷 불쌍한 사람

🇸🇦 بائس

🇨🇿 ubožák

🇸🇰 úbožiak

🇨🇳 可怜人

🇸🇮 ubožec

🇮🇸 vesalingur

🇰🇿 бейшара

🇬🇪 საწყალი

🇦🇿 bikəs

🇲🇽 desdichado

Etymology

The word 'wretch' originated from Middle English 'wrecche', which in turn came from Old English 'wræcca', meaning an exile or an outcast. Over time, the term evolved to refer to a pitiful or despicable person. The use of 'wretch' as an insulting term became more common in informal language.

See also: wretched.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,359, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.