Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

will o' the wisp

/ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.68 in modern English

Syllables: will o' the wisp
IPA: /ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/

23

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any of several kinds of pale, flickering light, appearing over marshland in many parts of the world with diverse folkloric explanations and multiple possible scientific explanations including bioluminescence and chemiluminescence.

noun

Any of several kinds of pale, flickering light, appearing over marshland in many parts of the world with diverse folkloric explanations and multiple possible scientific explanations including bioluminescence and chemiluminescence.

British usage

noun

A delusionary or otherwise unachievable goal that one feels compelled to pursue.

Example Sentences

"They plague and annoy lazy men-servants and untidy maids with frightful dreams; oppress them as the nightmare; bite them as fleas; and scratch and tear them like cats and dogs; and often in the night frighten, in the shape of owls, thieves and lovers, or, like Will-o-the-wisps, lead them astray into bogs and marshes[.]"
"1988, Michael Weikath, "Keeper of the Seven Keys", Helloween, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II. Will o' the wisps / Misguiding your path / You can't throw a curse / Without takin' their wrath"
"Some preliminary legal arrangements were made, but the scheme proceeded no further, as the various local authorities concerned were unwilling to speculate public funds on what was, even at that date, a will o' the wisp."
"I happen to think the brothers’ pi project is a will-o’-the-wisp, and is one of the least interesting things they’ve ever done. But what do I know?"

Etymology

From Will (“male given name”) + of + the + wisp (“a bundle of straw or hay used as a torch”)

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/

Usage

British usage

Inflected Forms

will o' the wisps (plural) will-o'-the-wisp (alternative) will-o'-wisp (alternative) will of the wisp (alternative) will-in-the-wisp (alternative) Will-with-the-wisp (alternative)

Phrases

Min Min light

Frequently Paired Words

Min Min light

Synonyms

friar's lantern ghost light hinkypunk ignis fatuus jack-o'-lantern marsh light nightfire Spooklight walking fire

Questions

How do you pronounce will o' the wisp?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/.
What does will o' the wisp mean?: Any of several kinds of pale, flickering light, appearing over marshland in many parts of the world with diverse folkloric explanations and multiple possible scientific explanations including bioluminescence and chemiluminescence.
Where does will o' the wisp come from?: From Will (“male given name”) + of + the + wisp (“a bundle of straw or hay used as a torch”)

How to pronounce will o' the wisp

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