Full List
Wade: To walk through water or another substance that impedes movement. To make a laborious effort.
- She had to wade through knee-deep water after the storm.
- He waded into the paperwork without hesitation.
Wag: To move or cause to move rapidly back and forth. To move something (especially the tail of an animal) quickly from side to side.
- The dog wagged its tail excitedly.
- She wagged her finger at him in disapproval.
Wager: To risk money or something of value on an uncertain outcome. To bet or speculate.
- He wagered $50 on the horse race.
- I’d wager she knows more than she’s letting on.
Wait: To remain in place until something expected happens. To delay action until a later time.
- We had to wait for the train to arrive.
- He decided to wait before making a decision.
Wake: To stop sleeping. To rouse someone from sleep.
- I wake up at six every morning.
- She gently woke the child for school.
Walk: To move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn. To accompany or lead someone on foot.
- We walk to the park every evening.
- He walked her home after the party.
Wander: To move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal. To go astray morally or mentally.
- They wandered through the old town.
- His mind wandered during the long meeting.
Want: To desire something. To lack or be in need of something.
- I want a glass of water.
- The village wants basic medical supplies.
Warble: To sing with trills, quavers, or melodic embellishments. To produce a sound similar to bird song.
- The bird warbled a cheerful tune at dawn.
- She warbled through the national anthem nervously.
Warn: To inform someone in advance of possible danger or problem. To advise against a particular action.
- The sign warned us about falling rocks.
- I warned him not to drive so fast.
Warp: To bend or twist out of shape. To cause to deviate from the truth or normal course.
- The wood warped in the damp basement.
- His sense of reality was warped by fear.
Warrant: To justify or necessitate something. To guarantee the truth of something.
- The situation warrants immediate attention.
- These results do not warrant further testing.
Wash: To clean with water or another liquid. To flow or sweep over something.
- She washed the dishes after dinner.
- Waves washed over the rocks.
Wasp: (Rare verb form) To sting or annoy like a wasp.
- He wasped at every suggestion with sharp criticism.
Waste: To use carelessly or without purpose. To weaken or destroy gradually.
- Don’t waste your money on junk food.
- The disease wasted him away over time.
Watch: To look at attentively. To guard or keep under observation.
- We watched the sunset from the balcony.
- The police watched the suspect’s house.
Water: To pour or sprinkle water on. To supply moisture.
- Please water the plants daily.
- The farmer watered his fields in the morning.
Wave: To move one’s hand or arm to signal. To move like waves in the sea.
- She waved goodbye from the bus window.
- The wheat waved in the wind.
Waver: To show indecision. To move back and forth unsteadily.
- He wavered between staying and leaving.
- The candle flame wavered in the draft.
Wax: To coat or treat with wax. To gradually increase in intensity, size, or degree (archaic/poetic).
- She waxed the floor until it shone.
- The moon waxes and wanes each month.
Weaken: To make or become less strong. To reduce in power or intensity.
- The medicine weakened his immune system.
- Her resolve began to weaken after hours of debate.
Wean: To accustom a child or animal to food other than its mother’s milk. To detach gradually from a habit or dependency.
- The mother weaned her baby at six months.
- He’s trying to wean himself off caffeine.
Wear: To have clothing, accessories, or an expression on one’s body. To erode or deteriorate gradually.
- She wore a red dress to the party.
- The paint has worn off the old fence.
Weave: To interlace threads or materials to form fabric. To move in and out of something in a winding course.
- She weaved a basket from reeds.
- The car weaved through traffic.
Wed: To marry someone. To join or unite closely.
- They wed in a quiet ceremony.
- The artist wedded form with function.
Wedge: To force into a tight space. To split or secure something with a wedge.
- He wedged the door open with a brick.
- The papers were wedged under the desk.
Weed: To remove unwanted plants. To eliminate anything undesirable.
- She weeded the garden in the afternoon.
- They weeded out unqualified applicants.
Weep: To shed tears. To exude liquid slowly.
- She wept at the end of the movie.
- The tree wept sap from its bark.
Weigh: To determine the weight of something. To consider carefully.
- He weighed the fruit on the scale.
- She weighed her options before deciding.
Welcome: To greet with pleasure. To accept gladly.
- They welcomed us warmly at the door.
- She welcomed the chance to prove herself.
Weld: To join metal pieces by melting and fusing. To unite closely or firmly.
- The mechanic welded the broken frame.
- The tragedy welded the community together.
Well: To rise or gush up, especially of liquid or emotion.
- Tears welled in her eyes.
- Water welled up from the ground.
Whet: To sharpen a blade. To stimulate or excite interest or appetite.
- He whetted the knife before cooking.
- The preview whetted our appetite for the film.
Whimper: To make low, weak crying sounds. To complain in a feeble way.
- The puppy whimpered in the cold.
- He whimpered about the unfair rules.
Whine: To complain in a high-pitched or irritating tone. To produce a high-pitched sound.
- The child whined about bedtime.
- The engine whined as it accelerated.
Whip: To strike with a whip or similar object. To beat food ingredients rapidly.
- He whipped the horse to make it run faster.
- She whipped the cream into stiff peaks.
Whirl: To spin rapidly. To move or cause to move quickly in a circular way.
- Leaves whirled in the wind.
- The dancers whirled across the stage.
Whisper: To speak softly without vocal cords fully engaged. To suggest privately.
- She whispered a secret to her friend.
- Rumors whispered through the office.
Whistle: To produce a high sound by forcing air through lips or a device. To signal by whistling.
- He whistled a cheerful tune.
- The referee whistled for a foul.
Win: To achieve victory in a contest. To succeed in gaining something desired.
- The team won the championship.
- She won his trust over time.
Wind: To turn or coil something. To move in a twisting course.
- Please wind the string tightly.
- The path winds through the forest.
Wink: To close and open one eye quickly. To shine or flash intermittently.
- He winked playfully at her.
- The stars winked in the night sky.
Wipe: To clean or dry by rubbing. To erase or remove completely.
- She wiped the table with a cloth.
- They wiped out all traces of evidence.
Wire: To provide with electrical wiring. To send money electronically.
- They wired the new house for internet.
- He wired funds to his family overseas.
Wish: To desire something that may not be possible. To express good will.
- I wish I could travel the world.
- She wished him luck before the exam.
Withdraw: To remove or take back. To retreat or pull away.
- She withdrew money from the bank.
- The army withdrew after the battle.
Wither: To dry up or shrivel. To lose vitality or freshness.
- The flowers withered in the heat.
- His confidence withered under pressure.
Withstand: To resist or endure successfully.
- The building withstood the earthquake.
- She withstood the criticism with grace.
Witness: To see an event happen. To testify to the truth of something.
- They witnessed the accident from across the street.
- She witnessed the signing of the contract.
