English vocabulary · B2
Wring
/rɪŋ/ · v.
Wring means to turn a wet cloth hard with both hands so water comes out. The cloth then becomes much drier.
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Example sentences
- She wrung the water from the towel.
- He wrung his wet shirt dry.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- wringan — twist (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- TWIST — turn something into a new shape (Turn Around)
- SQUEEZE — press something firmly (Push From Both Sides)
- PRESS — push firmly against something (Push Down)
Similar words
- twist
- squeeze
- press
Lesson notes
Wring means to turn a wet cloth hard with both hands so water comes out. The cloth then becomes much drier.
Related: twist, squeeze, press. Use wring when you turn a cloth hard to force water out.
She wrung the water from the towel. He wrung his wet shirt dry.
From Old English. Wringan means twist. Wringan became wring. The old turning action remains in our hands today.