What does wend mean?
Wend is an archaic and literary verb meaning to go, proceed, or travel, often with the suggestion of following a winding or indirect route. Its best-known modern appearance is in the phrase "wend one's way," as in a traveler wending their way through a forest or across difficult terrain. The verb can also convey turning or directing one's course, a sense found chiefly in older writing. It is not normally used in everyday speech, but it gives formal prose a distinctly traditional or poetic quality. Related constructions such as "wend through" retain the same sense of movement. Though the word may appear unfamiliar, "wend one's way" is still readily understood and continues to be used in modern English. Its longevity also reflects the older English verb windan, which could mean both to turn and to go.
verbTo go or proceed, especially by a winding or indirect route. In older usage, it can also mean to turn or direct one's course.
- To go or proceed, especially along a winding or indirect route.
- To turn or direct one's course.
"After the storm, the pilgrims wended their way toward the coast."
"After the storm, the pilgrims wended their way toward the coast."
"She wended through the narrow pass as darkness fell."
Once an ordinary word for going, wend now survives mainly in the elegant phrase "wend one's way."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wend come from?
Wend comes from Old English windan, an Old English strong verb meaning to turn, twist, or go, and it is related to the source of the separate verb wind. The modern meaning developed from the older sense of moving or directing one's course. Its history links it to cognate Germanic verbs such as Old Norse venda and Old High German wendan, all associated with turning or changing direction.
Related word forms
How wend is actually used
Wend is rarely used in ordinary modern conversation and sounds literary, archaic, or poetic. The expression "wend one's way" is its best-known surviving use.
Easily confused with wend
To wend means to go or proceed, whereas to wind means to twist or turn something around; the noun wind also denotes moving air.