wrap

UK: /ˈræp/ US: /ræp/ ,(rap)

Inflections of 'wrap' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

wraps

v 3rd person singular

wrapping

v pres p

wrapped

v past

wrapped

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wrap /ræp/   v., wrapped or wrapt, wrap•ping, n. 
v. 

1. to enclose or cover in something wound or folded about:
   [~ + object + on/around + object] He wrapped a bandage around his finger.
2. to enclose and make fast within a covering, as of paper:
   [~ + object] She wrapped the gifts and put them under the Christmas tree.
3. to wind or fold (something) around as a covering:
   [~ + object] to wrap wax paper around the leftovers.
4. to surround, envelop, or hide:
   [~ + object] He wrapped her in his arms.
5. • wrap up, [~ + up + object] to finish work on;
     conclude:
     to wrap up doing the tax returns.
   • [~ + object] to give a summary of:
     The announcer wrapped up the day's news.
   • to wear warm clothes (on oneself): [no object]
     Be sure to wrap up before you go out in the cold.
     [~ + object + up]
     He wrapped them up in their winter coats.

n. [countable]

6. Clothing something, as a shawl, to be wrapped around a person, esp. for warmth.

adj. [before a noun]

7. Clothing Also, wrapped. wraparound in style:
   a wrap skirt.

Idioms

8. Idioms, Informal Terms under wraps, [Informal.] secret:
   They managed to keep the project under wraps.
9. Idioms wrapped up in, deeply absorbed in or devoted to:
   He's all wrapped up in this latest project.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wrap  (rap), v., wrapped or wrapt, wrap•ping, n., adj. 
v.t. 

1. to enclose in something wound or folded about (often fol. by up):
   She wrapped her head in a scarf.
2. to enclose and make fast (an article, bundle, etc.) within a covering of paper or the like (often fol. by up):
   He wrapped the package up in brown paper.
3. to wind, fold, or bind (something) about as a covering.
4. to protect with coverings, outer garments, etc. (usually fol. by up).
5. Clothing to cover (fingernails) with a sheer silk or linen fabric, as to repair or strengthen them.
6. to surround, envelop, shroud, or hide.
7. to fold or roll up.
8. Cinema, Show Business [Motion Pictures, Television.] to finish the filming of (a motion picture).

v.i. 

9. to wrap oneself (usually fol. by up).
10. to become wrapped, as about something;
    fold.
11. Cinema, Show Business [Motion Pictures, Television.] to complete the filming of a motion picture:
    We hope to wrap in time for Christmas.
12. wrapped up in:
    • intensely absorbed in:
      wrapped up in one's work.
    • involved in;
      bound up with:
      Peace is wrapped up in willingness to compromise.
13. wrap up, to conclude;
    finish work on:
    to wrap up a project.

n. 

14. Clothing something to be wrapped about the person, esp. in addition to the usual indoor clothing, as a shawl, scarf, or sweater:
    an evening wrap.
15. Clothing a beauty treatment in which a part or all of the body is covered with cream, lotion, herbs, or the like and then wrapped snugly with cloth.
16. Clothing a sheer silk or linen fabric glued to the fingernails to repair or strengthen them.
17. Food a piece of thin, flat bread wrapped around a filling and eaten as a sandwich.
18. Cinema, Show Business [Motion Pictures, Television.]
    • the completion of photography on a film or an individual scene.
    • the termination of a working day during the shooting of a film.
19. Informal Terms under wraps, secret:
    The army wants this research project kept under wraps.

adj. 

20. Clothing wraparound in style:
    a wrap skirt.

• 1275–1325; Middle English (verb, verbal), of obscure origin, originally; compare dialect, dialectal Danish vravle to wind

wrap, +v.t. 

1. Clothing to cover (fingernails) with a sheer silk or linen fabric, as to repair or strengthen them.

n. 

2. Clothing a sheer silk or linen fabric used to cover the fingernails in order to repair or strengthen them.
3. a piece of thin, flat bread rolled around a filling and eaten as a sandwich.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wrap / ræp/ verb (wraps, wrapping, wrapped)(mainly tr)

1. to fold or wind (paper, cloth, etc) around (a person or thing) so as to cover
2. (often followed by up) to fold paper, etc, around to fasten securely
3. to surround or conceal by surrounding
4. to enclose, immerse, or absorb: wrapped in sorrow
5. to fold, wind, or roll up
6. (intr; often followed by about, around, etc) to be or become wound or extended
7. to complete the filming of (a motion picture or television programme)
8. Also called: rap (often followed by up) to praise (someone)

noun

1. a garment worn wrapped around the body, esp the shoulders, such as a shawl or cloak
2. short for wrapround5
3. a type of sandwich consisting of a tortilla wrapped round a filling
4. wrapping or a wrapper
5. a small package of an illegal drug in powder form: a wrap of heroin
6. Also called: rap a commendation
7. the end of a working day during the filming of a motion picture or television programme
8. the completion of filming of a motion picture or television programme
9. keep under wraps ⇒ to keep secret
10. take the wraps off ⇒ to reveal

Etymology: 14th Century: origin unknown