the final outcome or solution in a play or other work
the book's sentimental denouement
Synonyms
climax,
conclusion,
finale,
termination,
culmination
in the sense of fetch up
Definition
to arrive or end up
We eventually fetched up at their house.
Synonyms
end up,
reach,
arrive,
turn up,
come,
stop,
land,
halt,
finish up
in the sense of finale
It was a sad finale to a spectacular career.
Synonyms
end,
ending,
close,
result,
finish,
consequence,
conclusion,
outcome,
completion,
termination,
culmination,
end result,
denouement,
bitter end
in the sense of finish
Definition
the final stage or part
I intend to see the job through to the finish.
Synonyms
end,
ending,
close,
closing,
conclusion,
run-in,
winding up (informal),
wind-up,
completion,
finale,
termination,
culmination,
cessation,
last stage(s),
denouement,
finalization
in the sense of gag
Definition
a joke, usually one told by a professional comedian
He made a gag about bald men.
Synonyms
joke,
crack (slang),
funny (informal),
quip,
pun,
jest,
wisecrack (informal),
sally,
witticism
in the sense of jest
Definition
something done or said to amuse people
It was a jest rather than a reproach.
Synonyms
joke,
play,
crack (slang),
sally,
gag (informal),
quip,
josh (slang),
banter,
hoax,
prank,
wisecrack (informal),
pleasantry,
witticism,
jape,
bon mot,
sport,
fun
in the sense of land up
Definition
to arrive at a final point or condition
We landed up at the Las Vegas at about 6.30.
Synonyms
end up,
arrive,
turn up,
wind up,
finish up,
fetch up (informal)
in the sense of lark
Definition
a harmless piece of mischief
The children thought it was a great lark.
Synonyms
prank,
game,
fun,
fling,
romp,
spree,
revel,
mischief,
caper,
frolic,
escapade,
skylark,
gambol,
antic,
jape,
rollick
in the sense of practical joke
Definition
a trick intended to make someone look foolish
They played a silly practical joke on her.
Synonyms
trick,
joke,
hoax,
prank
in the sense of prank
Definition
a mischievous trick
a stupid schoolboy prank
Synonyms
trick,
lark (informal),
caper,
frolic,
escapade,
practical joke,
skylarking (informal),
antic,
jape
Additional synonyms
in the sense of termination
a dispute which led to the abrupt termination of trade
Synonyms
ending,
end,
close,
finish,
conclusion,
wind-up,
completion,
cessation,
expiry,
cut-off point,
finis,
discontinuation
wind up
1. phrasal verb
When you wind up an activity, you finish it or stop doing it.
The President is about to wind up his visit to Somalia. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
Winding up the debate, she said: 'It would immediately put up interest rates.' [VERBPARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
2. phrasal verb
When someone winds up a business or other organization, they stop running it and close it down completely.
[business]
There was no alternative but to wind up the business. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
3. phrasal verb
If you wind up in a particular place, situation, or state, you are in it at the end of a series of actions, events, or experiences, even though you did not originally intend to be.
He could wind up in gaol. [VERBPARTICLE preposition/adverb]
Little did I know that I would actually wind up being on the staff. [VERBPARTICLE verb-ing]
Both partners of the marriage wound up unhappy. [VP adj/n]
4. phrasal verb
When you wind up something such as the window of a car, you make it move upwards by turning a handle.
He started winding the window up but I grabbed the door and opened it. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
5. phrasal verb
If you wind someone up, you deliberately say things which annoy them.
[British, informal]
This woman really wound me up. She kept talking over me. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
[Also VERBPARTICLE noun]
6. phrasal verb
If you wind someone up, you say untrue things in order to trick them.
[British, informal]
You're joking. Come on, you're winding me up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
[Also VERBPARTICLE noun]
7. See also wind2 [sense 3], wind-up, wound up
More Synonyms of wind up
See full dictionary entry for wind
wind-up
(waɪnd ʌp)
Word forms: plural wind-ups
1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A wind-up device is a mechanical device with a handle or key that you turn several times before you use it in order to make it work.
...an old-fashioned wind-up gramophone.
2. countable noun [usually singular]
A wind-up is a joke or trick in which someone deliberately tells you something untrue in order to annoy you.
[British, informal]
At first I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a wind-up by one of my mates. [+ by]
Synonyms: joke, gag [informal], lark, prank More Synonyms of wind up
More Synonyms of wind up
wind up in British English
(waɪnd)
verb(adverb)
1.
to bring to or reach a conclusion
he wound up the proceedings
2. (transitive)
to tighten the spring of (a clockwork mechanism)
3. (tr; usually passive) informal
to make nervous, tense, etc; excite
he was all wound up before the big fight
4. (transitive)
to roll (thread, etc) into a ball
5. an informal word for liquidate (sense 2)
6. (intransitive) informal
to end up (in a specified state)
you'll wind up without any teeth
7. (tr; usually passive)
to involve; entangle
they were wound up in three different scandals
8. (transitive)
to hoist or haul up
9. (transitive) British slang
to tease (someone)
nounwind-up
10.
the act of concluding
11.
the finish; end
12. British slang
an act or instance of teasing
she just thinks it's a big wind-up
adjective
13.
having a mechanism powered by the manual tightening of a spring
a wind-up radio
wind-up in British English
(ˈwaɪndˌʌp)
adjective
1.
having a mechanism powered by manual tightening of a spring
an old-fashioned wind-up gramophone
noun
2. British informal
an act or instance of teasing
This has to be a wind-up.
At first I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a wind-up by one of my mates.
wind up in American English
1.
to wind into a ball, etc.
2.
to entangle or involve
3.
to bring or come to an end; conclude
4.
to make very tense, excited, etc.
5. US, Baseball
to use a windup (sense 2) before pitching the ball
See full dictionary entry for wind
Examples of 'wind up' in a sentence
wind up
Hell of a row but it was hushed up because the banks already had their wind up due to cost overruns.
Terman, Douglas CORMORANT
Reduced sentence or not, he's still going to wind up in a Russian jail," Sabrina said.
MacNeill, Alastair CODE BREAKER
You see, I thought I was going to wind up like my mother -- `
Howatch, Susan ULTIMATE PRIZES
We wouldn't have wanted to wind up roasted on your dinner plate.
David Zindell THE LIGHTSTONE: BOOK ONE, PART TWO OF THE EA CYCLE (2002)
Eventually, he closed his mouth, swallowed hard and said, `You're at the wind-up.
Val McDermid DEAD BEAT (2002)
He looked a little suspiciously at me, as if he wasn't certain whether or not I was at thewind-up.
Val McDermid DEAD BEAT (2002)
In other languages
wind up
British English: wind-up ADJECTIVE
A wind-up device is a mechanical device with a handle or key that you turn several times before you use it in order to make it work.