wrought

[ rawt ]

verb

1. Archaic except in some senses. a simple past tense and past participle of work.

adjective

1. worked.
2. elaborated; embellished.
3. not rough or crude.
4. produced or shaped by beating with a hammer, as iron or silver articles.

wrought

/ rɔːt /

verb

1. archaic.
   a past tense and past participle of work

adjective

1. metallurgy shaped by hammering or beating
2. often in combination formed, fashioned, or worked as specified

   well-wrought

3. decorated or made with delicate care

Usage

Wrought is sometimes used as if it were the past tense and past participle of wreak as in the hurricane wrought havoc in coastal areas. Many people think this use is incorrect

Other Words From

• inter·wrought adjective
• self-wrought adjective
• super·wrought adjective
• under·wrought adjective
• un·wrought adjective
• well-wrought adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrought¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English wroght, metathetic variant of worht, past participle of worchen “to work”; work

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrought¹

C16: variant of worht, from Old English geworht, past participle of ( ge ) wyrcan to work

Synonym Study

See worked.

Example Sentences

The result is an elegantly wrought documentary that pulls off the trick of leaving viewers sated yet also craving more.

From New York Times

He is much happier, he says, but still talks of the "shame" he feels and the "havoc" the catfisher wrought.

From BBC

With a large Latino population in the stands, the place teems with a sense of breathtaking diversity and wondrous community wrought by him.

From Los Angeles Times

“Oh mother Mary,” gasped one man as he walked through the devastation wrought on the village.

From BBC

They also expressed concern about the devastation wrought in the Southeast by Hurricane Helene and called for a vigorous response from government to help those affected by the powerful storm.

From Los Angeles Times