wig

1 of 2

noun

ˈwig How to pronounce wig (audio)
Synonyms of wignext
1
a
: a manufactured covering of natural or synthetic hair for the head
b
: toupee sense 1
2
: an act of wigging : rebuke

wig

2 of 2

verb

wigged; wigging

transitive verb

: to scold severely

intransitive verb

slang : to lose one's composure or reason : freak
—usually used with out

Synonyms of wig

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of wig in a Sentence

Noun She was wearing a blonde wig. the cancer patient started wearing a wig after losing all of her hair from chemotherapy Verb with her claustrophobia, it wouldn't take a day for her to wig out on a submarine
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Catherine’s story line evokes a feverish what-if scenario in which a survivor musters the requisite recklessness, talent for murder, and wig collection to mete out retribution. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 The set, costumes, props, wigs and makeup all worked together to transport the actors to that otherworldly spot. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 Some 1,037 Marilyn lookalikes of every gender in white halter dresses and platinum blonde wigs congregated in downtown Palm Springs. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Years later, Crowe made another project with Cruise — 2001’s Vanilla Sky — and the actor put on a wig reminiscent of Spector’s hair. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wig

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for periwig

First Known Use

Noun

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of wig was in 1675

Phrases Containing wig

Rhymes for wig

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Browse Nearby Words

wifty
wig
wigan
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Cite this Entry

“Wig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wig. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wig

noun
ˈwig
: a manufactured covering of natural or artificial hair for the head

More from Merriam-Webster on wig

Nglish: Translation of wig for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wig

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