wretch

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈrɛtʃ/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/rɛtʃ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(rech)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
wretch /rɛtʃ/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. a very unfortunate or unhappy person.
  2. a contemptible person:That wretch deserted his family.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
wretch  (rech),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. a deplorably unfortunate or unhappy person.
  2. a person of despicable or base character.
  • bef. 900; Middle English wrecche, Old English wrecca exile, adventurer; cognate with German Recke warrior, hero, Old Norse rekkr man

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
wretch / rɛtʃ/
  1. a despicable person
  2. a person pitied for his or her misfortune
Etymology: Old English wrecca; related to Old Saxon wrekkeo, Old High German reccheo (German Recke warrior), Old Norse rek(n)ingr
'wretch' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Rolf Kraki - cowardly - donder - reprobate - schlock - truant - whoreson - wrack - wretched

Forum discussions with the word(s) "wretch" in the title:


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