wreath

[ reeth ]

noun

, plural wreaths [ree, th, z, reeths].

1. a circular band of flowers, foliage, or any ornamental work, for adorning the head or for any decorative purpose; a garland or chaplet.
2. any ringlike, curving, or curling mass or formation:

   a wreath of clouds.

3. (in stair building)
   1. a curved section of a handrail.
   2. Also called wreathpiece. a curved section of a string.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to wreathe.

wreath

/ riːθ /

noun

1. a band of flowers or foliage intertwined into a ring, usually placed on a grave as a memorial or worn on the head as a garland or a mark of honour
2. any circular or spiral band or formation
3. a spiral or circular defect appearing in porcelain and glassware

Derived Forms

• ˈwreathˌlike, adjective
• ˈwreathless, adjective

Other Words From

• wreathlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreath¹

before 1000; Middle English wrethe, Old English writha something wound or coiled; akin to writhe

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreath¹

Old English wrǣth, wrǣd; related to Middle Low German wrēden to twist. See writhe

Example Sentences

From adorable wooden pumpkins to the perfect front door wreath, these classy fall decorations help you subtly pay homage to the season.

From The Daily Beast

He saw his father for the last time, surrounded by wreaths, behind glass, his eyes closed.

From Washington Post

As the expedition ended, the project’s research vessel came to a stop, sounded its whistle and a memorial wreath was placed on the ocean, the company said.

From Washington Post

Plus “The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth/And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath”?

From The Daily Beast

He will then visit the Western Wall and lay a wreath at the Holocaust memorial at Mount Herzl.

From The Daily Beast

A wreath of green leaves is placed on her head where a red band stands out against her white-blond shaved head.

From The Daily Beast

For Coming Soon, Gordon's initial plan was to make and then display her wreath paintings in a low-budget California tract house.

From The Daily Beast

Three were unadorned; one bore a wreath, red ribbons, and a name: Adolf Hitler.

From The Daily Beast

Its tiny wreath of smoke curled lightly about her, mounting up in the warm, bright room.

From Project Gutenberg

“Chaplet”—a wreath or garland signed for by him in his ambitious hopes—expresses his birth-date by Con.

From Project Gutenberg

I have drawn him gray and woolly, and you can see that he is very proud because he has a wreath of flowers in his hair.

From Project Gutenberg

What suggestions it brings to us as we look upon a paintin' of a wreath of flowers, or fruit, or a handsome lady!

From Project Gutenberg

Let the folds be adorned with leaves and branches fastened to them, while a trailing wreath covers the gay-decked gates.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bouquet
• garland