Updated on December 26, 2024
by PushtoLearn
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Verbs That Start With W

The letter "W" introduces many commonly used verbs. These verbs range from physical actions like "walk" and "wash" to abstract concepts like "wonder" and "warrant."

List of Top 50 Verbs That Start With W

Verb

Definition

Example

Wade

To walk through water or a similar substance.

He had to wade through the muddy field.

Wait

To remain until something happens.

She decided to wait for the bus inside.

Waive

To relinquish a right or claim.

He waived his right to a jury trial.

Wake

To stop sleeping.

She needs to wake up early tomorrow.

Walk

To move on foot.

They like to walk in the park after dinner.

Wander

To move aimlessly without a fixed path.

The tourists wandered around the city.

Want

To desire something.

She wants to learn a new language.

Warm

To make or become warm.

He warmed his hands by the fire.

Warn

To alert someone to danger or caution.

The signs warned of slippery floors.

Warp

To bend or twist out of shape.

The heat warped the wooden frame.

Warrant

To justify or necessitate something.

The situation warrants further investigation.

Wash

To clean with water or other liquid.

He washed his car on Saturday.

Waste

To use carelessly or without purpose.

Don’t waste water while brushing your teeth.

Watch

To observe attentively.

They watched the sunset from the balcony.

Weaken

To make or become less strong.

The illness weakened his immune system.

Wear

To have clothing on the body.

She decided to wear a blue dress to the party.

Weave

To interlace threads or materials.

They weave baskets by hand.

Wed

To marry someone.

The couple plans to wed next spring.

Weep

To cry or shed tears.

She wept tears of joy at the good news.

Weigh

To measure the weight of something.

He weighed the bag on the scale.

Welcome

To greet someone in a friendly manner.

They welcomed the new students warmly.

Weld

To join metals by heating and melting them.

He welded the broken part of the gate.

Whack

To hit something hard.

He whacked the piñata with a stick.

Whine

To complain in a high-pitched tone.

The child started to whine about bedtime.

Whip

To beat or strike quickly.

She whipped the cream for the cake.

Whisk

To mix quickly with a whisk.

He whisked the eggs for the omelette.

Whisper

To speak softly.

She whispered a secret to her friend.

Widen

To make or become wider.

They decided to widen the road for traffic.

Wiggle

To move with small, quick motions.

The puppy wiggled its tail excitedly.

Will

To express determination or intent.

She willed herself to finish the race.

Wilt

To droop or lose vitality.

The flowers began to wilt in the heat.

Win

To achieve victory.

Their team won the championship.

Wink

To close and open one eye quickly.

He winked playfully at his friend.

Wipe

To clean or dry by rubbing.

She wiped the table with a cloth.

Wish

To hope for something.

He wishes for a better future.

Withdraw

To remove or take back.

She withdrew money from the ATM.

Wither

To shrivel or fade.

The plants withered from lack of water.

Withhold

To keep back or refuse to give.

He withheld his approval for the project.

Withstand

To endure or resist.

The building withstood the strong winds.

Witness

To see or observe an event.

He witnessed the accident on his way to work.

Wobble

To move unsteadily.

The chair wobbled on the uneven floor.

Wonder

To feel curiosity or amazement.

She wondered about life on other planets.

Woo

To seek affection or approval.

He tried to woo her with flowers and gifts.

Work

To engage in physical or mental activity.

She worked hard on the project all day.

Worry

To feel anxious or troubled.

He worried about the upcoming exam.

Wrap

To cover or enclose something.

She wrapped the gift in colorful paper.

Wreak

To cause or inflict.

The storm wreaked havoc across the region.

Wrestle

To grapple or struggle physically.

They wrestled for control of the remote.

Wring

To twist something to remove liquid.

She wrung the water out of the wet cloth.

Write

To mark words on paper or type electronically.

She writes in her journal every evening.

Daily Actions

  • Wash: To clean using water.
    Example: "He washed his hands before dinner."

  • Weigh: To measure weight.
    Example: "The chef weighed the ingredients carefully."

  • Work: To perform a task or job.
    Example: "She worked diligently on her presentation."

Emotional or Abstract Concepts

  • Wonder: To feel curiosity.
    Example: "He wondered about the mysteries of the universe."

  • Worry: To feel anxious.
    Example: "She worried about her friend’s safety."

Physical Movements

  • Wade: To walk through water or mud.
    Example: "They waded across the shallow stream."

  • Wrestle: To grapple or struggle.
    Example: "He wrestled with the problem all night."

Creative or Productive Actions

  • Write: To put words on paper.
    Example: "She writes poetry every weekend."

  • Weave: To interlace materials or ideas.
    Example: "The storyteller wove an intricate tale."

Illustration of Verbs That Start With W

Everyday Use of Verbs Starting With W

  1. Wait: "She waited patiently for her turn."

  2. Watch: "They watched the fireworks display from the rooftop."

  3. Wish: "He wished for a sunny day for their picnic."

  4. Warm: "She warmed her hands by the fire."

  5. Wrap: "He wrapped the package carefully."

Common Mistakes

1. Misusing “Weigh” Instead of “Measure”

  • Mistake: "He weighed the distance to the finish line."

  • Correction: "He measured the distance to the finish line."

2. Confusing “Warp” with “Wrap”

  • Mistake: "She warped the present."

  • Correction: "She wrapped the present."

3. Using “Worry” Instead of “Wonder”

  • Mistake: "He worried about the outcome of the story."

  • Correction: "He wondered about the outcome of the story."

4. Overusing “Will” for Future Actions

  • Mistake: "I will finish this soon."

  • Correction: "I plan to finish this soon."

5. Confusing “Withdraw” with “Withhold”

  • Mistake: "He withdrew the prize from the winner."

  • Correction: "He withheld the prize from the winner."

FAQ

What’s the difference between “Wade” and “Walk”?

“Wade” refers to walking through water or mud, while “walk” is a general term for moving on foot.
Example: "They waded through the marsh" vs. "They walked to the park."

Can “Weave” be used metaphorically?

Yes, it can mean combining ideas or elements.
Example: "She wove her experiences into a compelling narrative."

Is “Warp” always negative?

Not necessarily. While it often refers to damage, it can also imply creative bending, as in storytelling.

How is “Withdraw” different from “Withhold”?

“Withdraw” means to take something away after it’s been given, while “withhold” means to keep something back from being given.

Can “Wonder” be used as a noun?

Yes, it can also mean something amazing or extraordinary.
Example: "The pyramids are a wonder of the ancient world."

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