wrap
wrap — verb
- wrappresent simple I / you / we / they
- wrapshe / she / it
- wrappedpast simple
- wrapping-ing form
1. to put paper, fabric, or another covering around an object so that it is partly
to put paper, fabric, or another covering around an object so that it is partly or fully enclosed, often for protection or as a gift
Selim spent an hour wrapping his sister's birthday present in shiny gold paper.
wrap + present + in + paper (gift context)
The butcher wrapped the meat in brown paper before handing it to the customer.
Jisoo always wraps her books in plastic covers to keep them clean.
You should wrap the fragile vase in bubble wrap before packing it in a box.
wrap + object + in + protective material
Manuela wrapped a towel around her wet hair after stepping out of the shower.
wrap + material + around + body part
- wrap a present
- wrap a gift
- wrap in paper
- wrap in foil
- wrap around
- tightly wrapped
- unwrap
to remove the covering or wrapping from something
Grammar Patterns
wrap + noun + in + material
wrap + material + around + noun
Usage Note
Object is typically a physical item (a gift, food, an object). Use 'wrap [item] in [material]' for covering, and 'wrap [material] around [item]' for winding the material itself.
Common Mistakes
2. to place fabric, a blanket, or other covering around a person or part of their b
to place fabric, a blanket, or other covering around a person or part of their body, especially for warmth, safety, or comfort
The nurse wrapped the newborn baby in a soft white blanket.
wrap + person + in + blanket (warmth context)
Marco wrapped a thick scarf around his neck before stepping into the freezing wind.
wrap + material + around + body part
After the swim, Nkechi wrapped herself in a towel and hurried indoors.
Christopher wrapped his arm around his daughter to comfort her during the storm.
wrap + body part + around + person (comfort context)
- wrap in a blanket
- wrap a scarf around
- wrap arms around
- wrap up warm
- wrapped in a towel
Grammar Patterns
wrap + person/body part + in + material
wrap + material + around + person/body part
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (COVER WITH PAPER): this sense involves covering a living person or body part, typically for warmth or comfort rather than for storage or gift-giving. The object is usually a person, a body part, or a reflexive pronoun ('herself').
Common Mistakes
wrap up
phrasal verbto cover something completely in paper or other material, especially a gift for someone
Indra spent the whole evening wrapping up Christmas presents for her family.
Could you help me wrap up these books so I can mail them to my cousin?
wrap up (2)
phrasal verbto finish an activity, meeting, or event by completing the final parts
The team hopes to wrap up the project by Friday so everyone can enjoy the long weekend.
Let me just wrap up this phone call, and then I will join you for lunch.
wrap up (3)
phrasal verbto dress in warm clothes, especially when going outside in cold weather
Make sure the children wrap up warm before they go out to play in the snow.
Grandma always tells us to wrap up well or we will catch a cold.
wrap it up
phrasal verbTo finish or stop an activity, especially a performance or speech.
The teacher asked the student to wrap it up quickly.
Let's wrap it up and go home before the rain starts.
to be so completely absorbed or involved in a person, activity, or interest that you do not notice other things around you
Maeve has been so wrapped up in her new job that she barely has time to see her friends.
The children were completely wrapped up in the cartoon and did not hear their mother calling them for dinner.
to be able to persuade someone to do anything you want, usually because they like you or admire you so much
The little girl has her grandfather wrapped around her little finger — he can never say no to her.
That charming salesman could wrap any customer around his little finger with his smooth talk.
To be so focused on someone or something that you ignore other things.
Maya is completely wrapped up in her new painting project.
Brian was so wrapped up in his book that he missed dinner.
To make someone do whatever you want by influencing them easily.
Sara can wrap her grandfather around her little finger.
Diego twisted his boss around his little finger to get a raise.
wrap — noun
- wrapsingular
- wrapsplural
1. a type of sandwich where ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or cheese are pla
a type of sandwich where ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or cheese are placed on a flat, thin piece of bread like a tortilla, which is then formed into a cylinder
Meera bought a chicken wrap from the cafe for her lunch break.
The deli serves a fresh vegetable wrap with hummus and roasted red peppers.
adjective + wrap (describing filling type)
Camila orders a tuna wrap whenever she visits that sandwich shop near the station.
For a healthy lunch, try a turkey wrap with lettuce, tomato, and a light dressing.
- chicken wrap
- vegetable wrap
- turkey wrap
- tuna wrap
- order a wrap
- eat a wrap
Grammar Patterns
a/an + wrap
adjective + wrap
Usage Note
Common in cafes, delis, and restaurants as a lighter alternative to a traditional sandwich. The bread used is typically a tortilla or lavash, not sliced bread.
Common Mistakes
2. paper, plastic, fabric, or foil used for covering food, gifts, or other items, o
paper, plastic, fabric, or foil used for covering food, gifts, or other items, often for storage or protection
Ingrid removed the plastic wrap from the bowl before heating the soup.
The movers used bubble wrap to protect the glass dining table.
compound noun: bubble wrap
You can find rolls of gift wrap in the stationery aisle near the birthday cards.
compound noun: gift wrap
The cheese was kept fresh under a tight layer of cling wrap in the refrigerator.
- gift wrap
- bubble wrap
- plastic wrap
- cling wrap
- layer of wrap
- sheet of wrap
- wrapping
interchangeable in many contexts but 'wrapping' is slightly more formal; 'wrap' is more common in compounds
Grammar Patterns
piece of + wrap
type of + wrap
wrap + noun (compound)
Usage Note
Often used in compounds: 'gift wrap', 'bubble wrap', 'cling wrap', 'plastic wrap'. These are common in everyday contexts. 'Wrap' as a material noun is uncountable: 'some wrap', 'a sheet of wrap'.
Common Mistakes
3. a small folded paper container, flat in shape, that holds a powdered substance s
a small folded paper container, flat in shape, that holds a powdered substance such as medicine, sugar, or illicit drugs
The pharmacist put the powder in a small paper wrap and gave it to Sivan.
wrap (noun) for medicine powder
In the past, sugar was often sold in little paper wraps at general stores.
Indra found a wrap of white powder hidden inside the pages of the old book.
Tomas opened the wrap and poured the headache powder into a glass of water.
- paper wrap
- wrap of powder
- small wrap
Grammar Patterns
a/an + wrap
wrap + of + noun
4. a loosely fitted garment that you put on by winding it around your body and secu
a loosely fitted garment that you put on by winding it around your body and securing it with a knot, belt, or tie
Sivan wore a beautiful silk wrap over her swimsuit while walking along the beach.
A sarong is a long wrap worn by both men and women in Southeast Asia.
countable: a + wrap (garment)
Camila tied her linen wrap at the waist and added a pair of flat sandals.
A wrap dress is popular for parties because it is comfortable and easy to adjust.
- silk wrap
- linen wrap
- beach wrap
- wrap dress
- tie a wrap
Grammar Patterns
a/an + wrap
adjective + wrap
wrap + noun (compound)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 5 (SHOULDER SHAWL): a wrap garment covers the whole body or is tied at the waist, while a shoulder shawl only covers the shoulders and upper back. 'Wrap dress' is a common compound in fashion.
5. a strip of fabric draped over the shoulders and upper arms to keep warm or as a
a strip of fabric draped over the shoulders and upper arms to keep warm or as a stylish accessory, commonly worn by women on formal occasions or in chilly weather
Aunt Rosa wore a knitted wool wrap over her evening dress to the party.
The bride's mother draped a white lace wrap across her shoulders for the outdoor ceremony.
drape a wrap across shoulders
Camila bought a soft cashmere wrap to wear during the cold winter months.
Maeve borrowed a silk wrap from her friend to complete the evening gown outfit.
- wool wrap
- cashmere wrap
- lace wrap
- evening wrap
- drape a wrap
- wrap over shoulders
Grammar Patterns
a/an + wrap
adjective + wrap
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4 (TIE-ON GARMENT): a shoulder wrap is worn only over the upper body and is not fastened at the waist. It is often used as an accessory for formal wear or for light warmth indoors.
wrap — adjective
- wrappositive
- wrappercomparative
- wrappestsuperlative
1. describes a garment whose design features one side that crosses over and partly
describes a garment whose design features one side that crosses over and partly covers the other side, typically secured with a tie or belt rather than buttons or zippers
A wrap skirt is easy to put on — you simply tie the overlapping sides together.
Ingrid prefers wrap tops because they fit comfortably without tight buttons or zippers.
attributive: wrap + garment type
Wrap dresses are popular for their adjustable fit and elegant, flowing look.
Manuela bought a wrap blouse that she can wear loose or cinched at the waist.
- wrap dress
- wrap skirt
- wrap top
- wrap blouse
- wrap style
- wraparound
less common than 'wrap' for clothing; 'wraparound' is also used for sunglasses, skirts, and other items that go around the body
Grammar Patterns
wrap + noun (e.g., skirt, dress, top)
Usage Note
Always used before a noun referring to clothing ('wrap dress', 'wrap skirt', 'wrap top'). This adjective describes the construction style — one panel of fabric crosses over another. It is NOT the same as the noun 'wrap' meaning a garment itself.