noun
Common
wright
ryt
Wright (noun) means a person who makes or builds something, especially by hand; now mostly seen in compound job titles. Example: “A shipwright is a wright who builds and repairs ships.”
noun
1
A person who makes or builds something, especially by hand; now mostly seen in compound job titles.
"A shipwright is a wright who builds and repairs ships."
How to use wright
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for a skilled craftsperson, now mostly used in compound words like "playwright" or "cartwright".
When to use it
Rare on its own today; almost always appears as part of a compound word.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wrights
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A shipwright is a _____ who builds and repairs ships.
Etymology
From Old English wyrhta, "worker, maker" — the same root seen in "wheelwright" and "playwright".
Related words
Rhymes for wright
See all rhymes for wright →Frequently asked questions
What does “wright” mean?
The word “wright” means a person who makes or builds something, especially by hand; now mostly seen in compound job titles. In plain terms, an old word for a skilled craftsperson, now mostly used in compound words like "playwright" or "cartwright".
How do you pronounce “wright”?
“Wright” is pronounced ryt (/ɹaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “wright” in a sentence?
Here is “wright” used in a sentence: “A shipwright is a wright who builds and repairs ships.”
What part of speech is “wright”?
“Wright” is a noun.
Where does the word “wright” come from?
The word “wright” comes from Old English. From Old English wyrhta, "worker, maker" — the same root seen in "wheelwright" and "playwright".
Is “wright” a common word?
“Wright” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between wright and write?
Wright and write are homophones with unrelated meanings. A wright is a person who makes or builds something, especially by hand, while write means to form letters or words. Wright survives mostly in compound job titles such as shipwright and playwright.
Why does wright appear in words like playwright and shipwright?
Wright means a maker or builder, so a playwright is literally a maker of plays and a shipwright a builder of ships. The word now appears almost entirely in such compound titles rather than on its own.
Is a playwright someone who writes plays even though it uses wright not write?
Yes. Although a playwright does write, the spelling comes from wright meaning maker or builder, reflecting the idea of crafting a play like a piece of work. The spelling "playwrite" is a common mistake.
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