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wad

22 synonyms for wad, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

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Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft.

“He stuffed a wad of tissue into his pocket.”

2. verb

To crush or squeeze something into a compact ball or lump.

“He wadded up the letter and threw it in the bin.”

How to use wad

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a wad of cash wad of paper wad it up

Etymology

Likely a shortening of Middle English "wadmal", a coarse woollen cloth, tracing back to Old Norse words for "cloth" and "measure".

Full origin of wad →

Frequently asked questions

What does “wad” mean?
The word “wad” means a thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft. In plain terms, a squashed-together lump or bundle, often of paper, cotton, or cash.
How do you pronounce “wad”?
“Wad” is pronounced wod (/wɑd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wad” in a sentence?
Here is “wad” used in a sentence: “He stuffed a wad of tissue into his pocket.”
What part of speech is “wad”?
Depending on how it is used, “wad” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wad” come from?
The word “wad” comes from Middle English. Likely a shortening of Middle English "wadmal", a coarse woollen cloth, tracing back to Old Norse words for "cloth" and "measure".
How many meanings does “wad” have?
“Wad” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.