wight
Wight (noun) means an archaic or literary word for a living being, especially a person. Example: “The old poem speaks of "a wight so bold and true.”
How to use wight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for a person or creature, now best known from fantasy stories where it means an undead being.
Don't confuse with "white" (they sound alike in some accents but are unrelated) or the Isle of Wight, an English place name.
Archaic outside of fantasy fiction and games — rarely used in everyday speech.
Word forms
wights plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old poem speaks of "a _____ so bold and true."
Etymology
From Old English wiht ("thing, creature"), an ancient word related to Dutch and German words for "child" or "creature."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for wight
See all rhymes for wight →Frequently asked questions
What does “wight” mean?
The word “wight” means an archaic or literary word for a living being, especially a person. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for a person or creature, now best known from fantasy stories where it means an undead being.
How do you pronounce “wight”?
“Wight” is pronounced wyt (/waɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “wight” in a sentence?
Here is “wight” used in a sentence: “The old poem speaks of "a wight so bold and true.".”
What part of speech is “wight”?
“Wight” is a noun.
Where does the word “wight” come from?
The word “wight” comes from Old English. From Old English wiht ("thing, creature"), an ancient word related to Dutch and German words for "child" or "creature.".
Is “wight” a common word?
“Wight” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wight” have?
“Wight” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an archaic or literary word for a living being, especially a person.