noun
wad
wod
Wad (noun) means a thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft. Example: “He stuffed a wad of tissue into his pocket.”
noun
1
A thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft.
"He stuffed a wad of tissue into his pocket."
2
A thick bundle of banknotes.
"She pulled out a wad of cash to pay for the tickets."
verb
1
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
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA squashed-together lump or bundle, often of paper, cotton, or cash.
Common pairings
a wad of cash
wad of paper
wad it up
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Word forms
- Plural
- wads
- Third person singular
- wads
- Past tense
- wadded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He stuffed a _____ of tissue into his pocket.
Etymology
Likely a shortening of Middle English "wadmal", a coarse woollen cloth, tracing back to Old Norse words for "cloth" and "measure".
Related words
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.
