wrap
B1Neutral. Common in everyday, business, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To cover or enclose something completely by folding or winding a flexible material like paper, cloth, or film around it.
To finish or conclude something (e.g., a meeting, filming); to be deeply involved or engrossed in something (e.g., wrapped up in a project); to arrange clothing snugly around oneself.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core sense involves a three-dimensional enclosing action, distinguishing it from 'cover' (which can be a surface action). Often implies neatness, security, or protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Wrap up' (to finish) is slightly more common in UK business contexts. The noun for a sandwich in flatbread is a 'wrap' in both, but the variety is greater in the US.
Connotations
Equally neutral. In film/TV, 'It's a wrap!' is universal.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
wrap something (in/with something)wrap something around something/somebodywrap (somebody/oneself) up (in something)be wrapped up in somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wrap your head around something (understand)”
- “wrap someone around your little finger (control someone)”
- “under wraps (secret)”
- “wrap things up (finish)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To conclude a deal, meeting, or financial quarter. 'Let's wrap this deal by Friday.'
Academic
Rare in core academic texts. Used in computing ('wrapper class') or research ('the study wraps up with...').
Everyday
Gifts, food, clothing. 'Can you wrap this cheese in foil?'
Technical
Computing (wrap text, code wrapper), packaging, cinematography ('wrap' for end of shooting).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Put the leftovers in cling film wrap.
- She bought a colourful wrap for the beach.
- The final wrap on the film was at midnight.
American English
- I'll have a chicken Caesar wrap for lunch.
- Keep the gift under wraps until her birthday.
- The software uses a wrapper for security.
verb
British English
- She used recycled paper to wrap the gifts.
- Wrap up well, it's freezing outside!
- We should wrap the meeting by 5 PM.
American English
- He wrapped the burger in wax paper.
- She wrapped her arms around him.
- Let's wrap this discussion and vote.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please wrap the present in this blue paper.
- I wrap a scarf around my neck in winter.
- Could you wrap up the leftovers for me?
- The project wrap-up meeting is next week.
- He's completely wrapped up in his new novel.
- The agreement wraps up months of negotiation.
- The new API acts as a wrapper for the legacy code, simplifying integration.
- She has a talent for wrapping difficult clients around her little finger.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RAP singer wearing a gold chain so big it WRAPs around his neck completely.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLETION IS WRAPPING (to wrap up a discussion), UNDERSTANDING IS ENCLOSING (to wrap your mind around an idea), CONTROL IS ENCIRCLING (wrapped around her finger).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'rap' (рэп). 'Wrap up warm' = 'тепло одеться', а не 'завернуть тепло'. 'Wrap' подразумевает обертывание по контуру, тогда как 'cover' может быть просто сверху.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I wrapped the book by paper.' Correct: 'I wrapped the book in paper.'
- Incorrect: 'Wrap on the scarf.' Correct: 'Wrap the scarf around your neck.'
- Confusing 'wrap up' (finish) with 'wind up' (which can mean finish but also to agitate).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'wrap your head around something' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is regular: wrap - wrapped - wrapped.
'Wrap' focuses on enclosing with a flexible material (paper, film). 'Pack' focuses on putting things into a container (suitcase, box) for transport or storage.
Yes, in computing: 'wrap text' (in a document), 'wrapper' (code that encapsulates other code). Metaphorically: 'wrap up a digital campaign'.
It has two main uses: 1) To dress warmly: 'Wrap up warm!' 2) To finish something: 'Let's wrap up the interview.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.