WordGarden.iowreck
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɛk/
US
- /ˈrɛk/
Meanings
Noun
a serious accident, especially involving a vehicle, or the wrecked vehicle left behind
(informal)a person who is extremely upset, exhausted, or in very bad condition
Verb
to badly damage or destroy something, especially in a crash
(informal)to leave someone emotionally upset or physically exhausted
Beyond the definition
A wreck is not only about ships sinking. It can mean the destruction of almost anything: a car after an accident, your carefully made plans, or even someone's health. Think of it as something badly damaged, ruined, or no longer working as it should. A train wreck is dramatic, but so is a wrecked relationship, one that has fallen apart. You might say a bad cold "wrecks" your week, meaning it completely spoils it.
The word often suggests sudden damage and a feeling of chaos. It is more than just broken; it is badly or completely broken. A ship that runs aground can become a wreck, but so can a promising career ruined by scandal. Sometimes "wreck" also means what is left after the damage, like the broken parts of a car after a crash.
The word "wreck" carries a strong image of destruction and ruin. It first referred to ships lost or destroyed at sea, but over time it came to describe many kinds of serious damage. You can use it for a car after a crash, a building after a storm, or anything left badly broken by a violent event.
As a verb, "to wreck" means to destroy something or damage it very badly, often in a sudden way. "He wrecked his car while speeding" suggests a crash that caused major damage. But the word is not limited to physical things. You can "wreck" a plan by making a mistake, "wreck" your chances by acting carelessly, or "wreck" your health through bad habits.
"Wreck" can also name the remains of something that has been destroyed, such as the wreck of a ship, car, or plane. In this sense, it points not just to the event but to what is left behind. The word is also often used in a figurative way. If someone says, "He was a nervous wreck," they mean a person who is extremely upset, stressed, or emotionally worn out.
In everyday speech, it can also describe something in a messy or chaotic state. You might say, "My room is a total wreck!" Here, the meaning is less dramatic, but the idea of disorder and damage is still there.
So whether it refers to a crash, a ruined plan, emotional strain, or simply a messy room, the word "wreck" suggests serious damage, disorder, or collapse.
Examples
- 1
Storm damage
The storm wrecked several boats in the harbor.
- 2
Road accident
He was badly hurt in a car wreck last winter.
- 3
Ship remains
Divers explored the wreck just off the coast.
- 4
Credit score
Missing one payment probably won't wreck your credit score.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Social situation
I didn't want to say anything that might wreck the evening.
- 6
Emotional state
She was a wreck before the job interview.
- 7
Exhaustion
We got home at three in the morning, completely wrecked.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- wrecknounverb
Forms
- wreckedpast tenseverbnoun
- wrecking-ing formverbnoun
- wreckspluralnounverb