2
CONJ
You use
why
at the beginning of a clause in which you talk about the reasons for something. □
3
PRON
You use
why
to introduce a relative clause after the word 'reason'. □
4
ADV
You use
why
with 'not' in questions in order to introduce a suggestion. □
5
ADV
You use
why
with 'not' in questions in order to express your annoyance or anger. [FEELINGS
] □
6
CONVENTION
You say
why not
in order to agree with what someone has suggested. [FORMULAE
] □
7
EXCLAM
People say '
Why!
' at the beginning of a sentence when they are surprised, shocked, or angry. [mainly AM
, FEELINGS
] □
8the whys and wherefores → see wherefores
Wic|ca /w I kə/ N‑PROPER Wicca is a pagan religion that practises witchcraft.
wick /w I k/ (wicks )
1 N‑COUNT The wick of a candle is the piece of string in it which burns when it is lit.
2 N‑COUNT The wick of a paraffin lamp or cigarette lighter is the part which supplies the fuel to the flame when it is lit.
wick|ed /w I k I d/
1
ADJ
You use
wicked
to describe someone or something that is very bad and deliberately harmful to people. □
2
ADJ
If you describe someone or something as
wicked
, you mean that they are rather naughty, but in a way that you find attractive or enjoyable. □
wick|er
/w
I
kə
r
/ N‑UNCOUNT
[usu N
n]
Wicker
is long thin sticks, stems, or reeds that have been woven together to make things such as baskets and furniture. □
wicker|work /w I kə r wɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Wickerwork is the same as wicker .
wick|et ◆◇◇ /w I k I t/ (wickets )
1 N‑COUNT In cricket, a wicket is a set of three upright sticks with two small sticks on top of them at which the ball is bowled. There are two wickets on a cricket pitch.
2 N‑COUNT In cricket, a wicket is the area of grass in between the two wickets on the pitch.
3 N‑COUNT In cricket, when a wicket falls or is taken, a batsman is out.
wicket|keeper /w I k I tkiːpə r / (wicketkeepers ) also wicket-keeper N‑COUNT A wicketkeeper is the player in a cricket team who stands behind the wicket in order to stop balls that the batsman misses or to catch balls that the batsman hits.
wide ◆◆◆ /wa I d/ (wider , widest )
1
ADJ
Something that is
wide
measures a large distance from one side or edge to the other. □
2
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] A
wide
smile is one in which your mouth is stretched because you are very pleased or amused. □