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wright

B1
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rˈaɪt/

US

  • /ˈraɪt/

Description

This is an old English word for a person who makes or builds things by hand. You will not often see it by itself today, but it still lives on in words such as *shipwright (someone who builds ships), wheelwright (someone who makes wheels), and playwright* (someone who crafts plays). In these words, it carries the idea of a skilled maker rather than just any worker.

The word has an old-fashioned feel and brings to mind careful handwork, trade skills, and pride in making something well. Even when the job is not common anymore, the ending still helps tell the story of what that person once made.

Examples

  1. 1

    Traditional craft

    In the museum workshop, a wright demonstrates how wooden wagon wheels were made.

    • Usage

      a wright is an old word for a skilled maker or builder

  2. 2

    Historical records

    Records from the 1700s list her ancestor’s job as a village wright.

  3. 3

    Modern compounds

    Today, wright is mostly seen in words such as shipwright and playwright.

    • Usage

      the word is now usually part of another word, not used by itself

Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • wrightnoun

Forms

  • wrightspluralnoun