1. to want; desire; long for (usually fol. by an infinitive or a clause): I wish to travel. I wish that it were morning. 2. to desire (a person or thing) to be (as specified): to wish the problem settled. 3. to entertain wishes, favorably or otherwise, for: to wish someone well; to wish someone ill. 4. to bid, as in greeting or leave-taking: to wish someone a good morning. 5. to request or charge: I wish him to come.—v.i. 1. to desire; long; yearn (often fol. by for): Mother says I may go if I wish. I wished for a book. 2. to make a wish: She wished more than she worked. 3. wish on, a. to force or impose (usually used in the negative): I wouldn't wish that awful job on my worst enemy. b. Also,wish upon.to make a wish using some object as a magical talisman: to wish on a star.
—n. 1. an act or instance of wishing. 2. a request or command: I was never forgiven for disregarding my father's wishes. 3. an expression of a wish, often one of a kindly or courteous nature: to send one's best wishes. 4. something wished or desired: He got his wish--a new car.
