wreck Meaning & Definition
What Does Wreck Mean?
As a noun, wreck means Something or someone that has been ruined. It can also mean The remains of something that has been severely damaged or worn down. As a verb, it means To destroy violently; to cause severe damage to something, to a point where it no longer works, or is useless.
Word Facts for Wreck
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɹɛk/ |
| Synonyms | crash, wrack and bust up |
| Antonyms | build, construct and make |
| Plural | wrecks |
| Verb forms | wrecks, wrecking, wrecked |
Wreck Definition (Noun)
- Something or someone that has been ruined.
He was an emotional wreck after the death of his wife.
- The remains of something that has been severely damaged or worn down.
- An event in which something is damaged through collision. A shipwreck: an event in which a ship is heavily damaged or destroyed.
- A shipwreck: an event in which a ship is heavily damaged or destroyed.
- Goods, etc. cast ashore by the sea after a shipwreck.
- A large number of birds that have been brought to the ground, injured or dead, by extremely adverse weather.
Wreck as a Verb
- To destroy violently; to cause severe damage to something, to a point where it no longer works, or is useless.
He wrecked the car in a collision.
- To ruin or dilapidate.
- To plunder goods from wrecked ships.
- To dismantle wrecked vehicles or other objects, to reclaim any useful parts.
- To involve in a wreck; hence, to cause to suffer ruin; to balk of success, and bring disaster on.
- To be involved in a wreck; to be damaged or destroyed.
Noun
- An event in which something is damaged through collision.
Synonyms of Wreck
Wreck synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Wreck
Wreck in a Sentence
He was an emotional wreck after the death of his wife.
He wrecked the car in a collision.
That adulterous hussy wrecked my marriage!
Word Forms & Grammar
wreck (plural wrecks)
wreck (third-person singular simple present wrecks, present participle wrecking, simple past and past participle wrecked)
Words That Rhyme With Wreck
Origin of Wreck
From Middle English wrek, from Anglo-Norman wrek, from Old Norse *wrek (whence Norwegian rek, Icelandic rek, Swedish vrak, Danish vrag), from Proto-Germanic *wrekaną (“to pursue”, whence Old English wrecan (English wreak), Old Saxon wrekan, Old High German rëhhan, Gothic 𐍅𐍂𐌹𐌺𐌰𐌽 (wrikan)), from Proto-Indo-European *wreg- (“to track; to hunt; to follow”).
Common Questions About Wreck
Is wreck a noun or a verb?
Wreck is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for wreck?
Words with a similar meaning to wreck include crash, wrack and bust up. See the full list of wreck synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of wreck?
Words opposite in meaning to wreck are build, construct, make and produce.
What is the plural of wreck?
The plural of wreck is wrecks.
What is the past tense of wreck?
The past tense of wreck is wrecked. The present participle is wrecking.