What does "wrap" mean?
Paper or sheeting that is wrapped around something to protect, contain, or conceal it.
Wrap
/ɹæp/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Paper or sheeting that is wrapped around something to protect, contain, or conceal it.
- Grammar: wrap is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: apparel, apply covering, array, attire.
- Useful contrasts: bare earth wire, bare shoulders, begin.
- Usage evidence: Pretty soon we'd better wrap up this break and get back to work.
How to use "wrap"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "wrap" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "wrap" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "wrap" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "wrap" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "wrap" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "apparel" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "wrap", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Paper or sheeting that is wrapped around something to protect, contain, or conceal it. countable, uncountable
- 2 Alternative spelling of rap (“appraisal”). Australia, alt-of, alternative, informal
- 3 cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person wordnet
- 4 Paper or sheeting that is wrapped around something to protect, contain, or conceal it.; A large sheet of self-adhesive material applied over a vehicle's paintwork for decorative or protective purposes. countable, uncountable
"The media theorist Peter Lunenfeld[…] says illustrative art is often used to defang threatening technology. He compares the Waymo wraps to Google Doodles, which distract people while they are using a complex and opaque search engine algorithm that is “almost fully beyond our ken.”"
- 5 the covering (usually paper or cellophane) in which something is wrapped wordnet
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 A loose piece of women's clothing that one wraps around the body; a shawl or scarf. countable, uncountable
- 7 a sandwich in which the filling is rolled up in a soft tortilla wordnet
- 8 An outer garment worn as protection while riding, travelling etc. archaic, countable, in-plural, uncountable
"‘I see you have had our Lowick Cicero here,’ she said, seating herself comfortably, throwing back her wraps, and showing a thin but well-built figure."
- 9 A type of food consisting of various ingredients wrapped in a tortilla or pancake. countable, uncountable
- 10 The completion of all or a major part of a performance. countable, uncountable
"But she could knock off right after the wrap, have dinner, and take a later flight."
- 11 A wraparound mortgage. countable, uncountable
- 12 A complete news report ready for broadcast, incorporating spoken reporting and other material. countable, uncountable
"This is a news report from the scene of the event. When a voicer and an actuality are combined into one complete story, it's known as a wrap."
- 13 The act of wrapping countable, uncountable
"Give the present a quick wrap before James sees it."
- 14 A straight draw in which there are more than 8 outs to complete the straight, especially in Omaha hold 'em. countable, slang, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To enclose (an object) completely in any flexible, thin material such as fabric or paper. transitive
"Christmas gifts are commonly known to be wrapped in paper."
- 2 arrange or fold as a cover or protection wordnet
- 3 To enclose or coil around an object or organism, as a form of grasping. transitive
"A snake wraps itself around its prey."
- 4 arrange or coil around wordnet
- 5 To conceal by enveloping or enfolding; to hide. figuratively, transitive
"wise poets that wrap truth in tales"
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 crash into so as to coil around wordnet
- 7 To finish shooting (filming) a video, television show, or movie. intransitive, transitive
"To avoid going over budget, let's make sure we wrap by ten. (compare wrap up 2)"
- 8 enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering wordnet
- 9 To break a continuous line (of text) onto the next line transitive, usually
"I wrapped the text so that I wouldn't need to scroll to the right to read it."
- 10 To make functionality available through a software wrapper. transitive
- 11 To (cause to) reset to an original value after passing a maximum. intransitive, transitive
"The row counter wraps back to zero when no more rows can be inserted."
Example
"Pretty soon we'd better wrap up this break and get back to work."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "wrap"?
Common synonyms include: apparel, apply covering, array, attire, bag, bagging.
How do you use "wrap" in a sentence?
Pretty soon we'd better wrap up this break and get back to work.
How do you pronounce "wrap"?
Pronounced /ɹæp/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English wrappen (“to wrap, fold”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to North Frisian wrappe (“to press into; stop up”), dialectal Danish vrappe (“to stuff, cram”), Middle Low German rincworpen (“to envelop, wrap”), Middle Low German wrempen (“to wrinkle, scrunch the face”), all perhaps tied to Proto-Indo-European *werp-, *werb- (“to turn, twist, bend”). Compare also similar-sounding and similar-meaning Middle English wlappen (“to wrap, lap, envelop, fold”), Middle Dutch lappen (“to wrap up”), Old Italian goluppare (“to wrap”) (from Germanic). Doublet of lap; related to envelop, develop. Also compare Latin verber (“whip, lash”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English wrappe, from the verb (see above).