Wednesday
WEHNZ-day
Wednesday (noun) means the day of the week that falls between Tuesday and Thursday. Example: “We usually go grocery shopping on Wednesday.”
noun
1
The day of the week that falls between Tuesday and Thursday.
"We usually go grocery shopping on Wednesday."
"The meeting has been moved to next Wednesday."
How to use Wednesday
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe midweek day, third or fourth depending on which calendar convention you use.
Common mistake
Always capitalized in English, unlike in many other languages.
Common pairings
on Wednesday
Wednesday morning
every Wednesday
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Word forms
- Plural
- Wednesdays
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We usually go grocery shopping on _____.
Etymology
From Old English wōdnesdæġ, "day of Woden" — the Anglo-Saxons named the day after their god Woden (Odin), mirroring the Latin "day of Mercury," since Woden was linked to Mercury in old mythology.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Wednesday
See all rhymes for Wednesday →Frequently asked questions
What does “Wednesday” mean?
The word “Wednesday” means the day of the week that falls between Tuesday and Thursday. In plain terms, the midweek day, third or fourth depending on which calendar convention you use.
How do you pronounce “Wednesday”?
“Wednesday” is pronounced WEHNZ-day (/ˈwɛnz.deɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Wednesday” in a sentence?
Here is “Wednesday” used in a sentence: “We usually go grocery shopping on Wednesday.”
What part of speech is “Wednesday”?
“Wednesday” is a noun.
Where does the word “Wednesday” come from?
The word “Wednesday” comes from Latin. From Old English wōdnesdæġ, "day of Woden" — the Anglo-Saxons named the day after their god Woden (Odin), mirroring the Latin "day of Mercury," since Woden was linked to Mercury in old mythology.
Is “Wednesday” a common word?
“Wednesday” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
Why is Wednesday spelled with a silent 'd'?
The spelling preserves the word's origin. Wednesday comes from the Old English 'Wodnesdæg,' meaning 'Woden's day,' after the Germanic god Woden (Odin). Pronunciation simplified over the centuries to 'Wenz-day,' but the written form kept the older 'd,' which is why the spelling and the sound no longer match.
Why is it called Wednesday?
Wednesday is named after Woden, also known as Odin, the chief god in Anglo-Saxon and Norse mythology. The Old English 'Wodnesdæg' meant 'Woden's day.' Several English weekday names follow this pattern, honouring gods — Thursday from Thor and Friday from the goddess Frigg, for example.
Is Wednesday the middle of the week?
Yes. In a Monday-to-Sunday week, Wednesday falls in the centre, sitting between Tuesday and Thursday. This is why it is nicknamed 'hump day' — the midpoint of the working week, after which the weekend feels within reach. It marks the point where the week is half over.
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