wish list

noun

: a list of desired but often realistically unobtainable items
a wish list of useful changes

Examples of wish list in a Sentence

That book is on my wish list.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jones, the former Apple exec who recently re-joined Amazon, padded out the programming wish list. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 Pinning down Pinhead One film has been at the top of the wish list of Horror Nights honchos for more than 10 years, Sauls said. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 The school list covers required supplies, while the wish list includes the specific brands or versions kids want after seeing them online. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 Start a wish list of plants including both grasses and perennials. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wish list

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wish list was in 1970

Rhymes for wish list

See All Rhymes for wish list

Browse Nearby Words

wishing well
wish list
wishly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wish list.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wish%20list. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

wish list

noun
: a list of desired but often realistically unobtainable items
a wish list of equipment for the school
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All