wreck
wreck /r'ek/ (wrecks wrecking wrecked)
1 [VERB] V n, V n, V-ed
To wreck something means to completely destroy or ruin it.
A coalition could have defeated the government and wrecked the treaty...
His life has been wrecked by the tragedy.
...missed promotions, lost jobs, wrecked marriages.
2 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed
If a ship is wrecked, it is damaged so much that it sinks or can no longer sail.
The ship was wrecked by an explosion.
...a wrecked cargo ship.
3 [N-COUNT]
A wreck is something such as a ship, car, plane, or building which has been destroyed, usually in an accident.
...the wreck of a sailing ship...
The car was a total wreck...
We thought of buying the house as a wreck, doing it up, then selling it.
4 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A wreck is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use crash)
He was killed in a car wreck.
5 [N-COUNT] usu sing
If you say that someone is a wreck, you mean that they are very exhausted or unhealthy. (INFORMAL)
You look a wreck...
see also nervous wrecknerv|ous wreck (nervous wrecks)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a nervous wreck, you mean that they are extremely nervous or worried about something.
She was a nervous wreck, crying when anyone asked her about her experience.
1 [VERB] V n, V n, V-ed
To wreck something means to completely destroy or ruin it.
A coalition could have defeated the government and wrecked the treaty...
His life has been wrecked by the tragedy.
...missed promotions, lost jobs, wrecked marriages.
2 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed
If a ship is wrecked, it is damaged so much that it sinks or can no longer sail.
The ship was wrecked by an explosion.
...a wrecked cargo ship.
3 [N-COUNT]
A wreck is something such as a ship, car, plane, or building which has been destroyed, usually in an accident.
...the wreck of a sailing ship...
The car was a total wreck...
We thought of buying the house as a wreck, doing it up, then selling it.
4 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A wreck is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use crash)
He was killed in a car wreck.
5 [N-COUNT] usu sing
If you say that someone is a wreck, you mean that they are very exhausted or unhealthy. (INFORMAL)
You look a wreck...
see also nervous wrecknerv|ous wreck (nervous wrecks)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a nervous wreck, you mean that they are extremely nervous or worried about something.
She was a nervous wreck, crying when anyone asked her about her experience.