(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a desire or strong feeling that you want to have something or do something.
Clearly she had no ~ for conversation...
She wanted to go everywhere in the world. She soon got her ~...
The decision was made against the ~es of the party leader.
N-COUNT: oft with poss
see also death ~
2.
If you ~ to do something or to have it done for you, you want to do it or have it done. (FORMAL)
If you ~ to go away for the weekend, our office will be delighted to make hotel reservations...
We can dress as we ~ now...
There were the collaborators, who ~ed for a German victory.
VERB: V to-inf, V, V for n
3.
If you ~ something were true, you would like it to be true, even though you know that it is impossible or unlikely.
I ~ I could do that...
The world is not always what we ~ it to be.
VERB: no cont, V that, V n to-inf
4.
If you ~ for something, you express the desire for that thing silently to yourself. In fairy stories, when a person ~es for something, the thing they ~ for often happens by magic.
We have all ~ed for men who are more considerate...
VERB: V for n
•
Wish is also a noun.
Blow out the candles and make a ~.
N-COUNT
5.
If you say that you would not ~ a particular thing on someone, you mean that the thing is so unpleasant that you would not want them to be forced to experience it.
It’s a horrid experience and I wouldn’t ~ it on my worst enemy.
VERB: no cont, with brd-neg, V n on n
6.
If you ~ someone something such as luck or happiness, you express the hope that they will be lucky or happy.
I ~ you both a very good journey...
Goodbye, Hanu. I ~ you well.
VERB: V n n, V n adv
7.
If you express your good ~es towards someone, you are politely expressing your friendly feelings towards them and your hope that they will be successful or happy.
I found George’s story very sad. Please give him my best ~es...
N-PLURAL: adj N politeness