noun
Uncommon
wig
wihg
Wig (noun) means a head covering made of real or artificial hair, worn to hide baldness, for style, for religious reasons, or as part of a costume. Example: “The judge still wears a traditional wig in court.”
noun
1
A head covering made of real or artificial hair, worn to hide baldness, for style, for religious reasons, or as part of a costume.
"The judge still wears a traditional wig in court."
"She bought a bright pink wig for the costume party."
verb
1
To lose control emotionally or act erratically; to freak out.
"He totally wigged out when he heard the news."
2
To scold or reprimand someone sharply.
"The coach wigged the team for showing up late."
How to use wig
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hairpiece, or (informally) to freak out or tell someone off.
Common mistake
"Wig out" (verb phrase, to panic or overreact) is far more common today than "wig" used alone as a verb.
Common pairings
wear a wig
wig out
get wigged
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Word forms
- Plural
- wigs
- Third person singular
- wigs
- Past tense
- wigged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The judge still wears a traditional _____ in court.
Etymology
Shortened from "periwig," itself adapted from the French perruque. The "to scold" sense may come from old expressions like "flip one's wig."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wig
See all rhymes for wig →Frequently asked questions
What does “wig” mean?
The word “wig” means a head covering made of real or artificial hair, worn to hide baldness, for style, for religious reasons, or as part of a costume. In plain terms, a hairpiece, or (informally) to freak out or tell someone off.
How do you pronounce “wig”?
“Wig” is pronounced wihg (/wɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wig” in a sentence?
Here is “wig” used in a sentence: “The judge still wears a traditional wig in court.”
What is another word for “wig”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wig” include hairpiece, periwig, peruke, toupe, toupee and toupée.
What part of speech is “wig”?
Depending on how it is used, “wig” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wig” come from?
The word “wig” comes from French. Shortened from "periwig," itself adapted from the French perruque. The "to scold" sense may come from old expressions like "flip one's wig.".
Is “wig” a common word?
“Wig” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wig” have?
“Wig” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a head covering made of real or artificial hair, worn to hide baldness, for style, for religious reasons, or as part of a costume.
What is the difference between a wig and a toupee?
A wig typically covers the entire head of hair, while a toupee is a smaller hairpiece designed to cover just a partial area, usually the crown or top of the head. Both are made of real or artificial hair and serve similar purposes of hiding baldness or changing style.
What does it mean to wig out?
To "wig out" is slang meaning to lose control emotionally or act erratically, essentially to freak out. It's an informal expression used in casual conversation rather than formal writing.
What does it mean when someone wigs you?
When used as a verb this way, to wig someone means to scold or reprimand them sharply, as in being given a harsh talking-to.
Why do people wear wigs?
People wear wigs to hide baldness, to change their style temporarily, for religious reasons, or as part of a costume. The reasons vary widely depending on the wearer's personal, cultural, or theatrical needs.
