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noun

wisp

wihsp

Wisp (noun) means a thin, light streak or strand of something, such as smoke, hair, or cloud. Example: “A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney.”

noun
1
A thin, light streak or strand of something, such as smoke, hair, or cloud.
"A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney."
"A wisp of hair fell across her face."
2
A small, loosely twisted bundle of straw or similar material.
"He used a wisp of hay to wipe down the horse."

How to use wisp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA thin, delicate strand or streak of something.

Common pairings
a wisp of smoke a wisp of hair a wisp of cloud

Word forms

wisped past tense, wisps plural, wisps singular

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Test yourself on “wisp” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ of smoke rose from the chimney.

Etymology

From Middle English wispe, of uncertain deeper origin, related to old West Germanic words for a bundle of straw or grass.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for wisp

See all rhymes for wisp →

Frequently asked questions

What does “wisp” mean?

The word “wisp” means a thin, light streak or strand of something, such as smoke, hair, or cloud. In plain terms, a thin, delicate strand or streak of something.

How do you pronounce “wisp”?

“Wisp” is pronounced wihsp (/wɪsp/ in IPA).

How do you use “wisp” in a sentence?

Here is “wisp” used in a sentence: “A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney.”

What part of speech is “wisp”?

“Wisp” is a noun.

Where does the word “wisp” come from?

The word “wisp” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wispe, of uncertain deeper origin, related to old West Germanic words for a bundle of straw or grass.

How many meanings does “wisp” have?

“Wisp” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin, light streak or strand of something, such as smoke, hair, or cloud.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial