wrought

1 of 2

adjective

ˈrȯt 

1

: worked into shape by artistry or effort

carefully wrought essays

2

: elaborately embellished : ornamented

3

: processed for use : manufactured

wrought silk

4

: beaten into shape by tools : hammered

—used of metals

5

: deeply stirred : excited

—often used with up

gets easily wrought up over nothing

wrought

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of work

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The Uses of Wrought

Wrought may function as the past or the past participle form of the verb work. While not as common as it once was, this past-tense form still is encountered in such combinations as "wrought havoc." Since "wreak havoc" is also a familiar pairing, many people assume that wrought is the past tense of wreak, but the two are actually distinct. Although it still exists as a verb, wrought is more often used today as an adjective, a role in which it has a number of meanings. Most of these are found referring to things or materials which have been in some way worked by people (as in wrought iron or "carefully wrought prose"), but one sense ("deeply stirred") is typically used in describing emotions. When employed in this sense, wrought is often found paired with up (as in "he found himself wrought up over the news").

Examples of wrought in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The architects deliberately attempted to differentiate each house: Some had terraces, others would have columns or frescoes or bas-relief figures, and the gates leading to the garden had unique constellations of wrought iron. . —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Aug. 2024

The railings on the staircase and the merchandise racks were created from wrought iron crafted by an Italian artisan and are intended to be reminiscent of provencal buildings. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 18 Oct. 2024

All of the medals from the Paris Games also feature an 18-gram, hexagonal piece of wrought iron from the Eiffel Tower. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2024

Add stone to the patio ceiling Designer Cindy Rinfret gave the Mediterranean terrace a lounging vibe with wrought iron chairs, and pavers on an arched ceiling further enhanced the classic look. —Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 9 Aug. 2024

There is no magic besides the allure of a painstakingly wrought, completely different world. —Marianne Gordon, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

The district is famous for its classical white stucco townhouses with elegant black wrought iron details. —Laura Euler For Dirt.com, Robb Report, 22 July 2021

Tiny white lights illuminate the trees that line historic streets, colorful front doors are adorned with waxy magnolia wreaths, century-old wrought iron gates wear garlands like necklaces, and store windows display scenes borrowed from vintage Christmas postcards. —Paige Porter Fischer, Southern Living, 3 May 2024

The tiki torches are five inches wide and 72 inches high, or six inches wide and 72 inches high on a wrought iron stake, according to the CPSC. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from past participle of worken to work

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wrought

• high-wrought
• wrought iron
• wrought up

Kids Definition

wrought

1 of 2

ˈrȯt 

past and past participle of work

wrought

2 of 2 adjective

1

: worked into shape by skill or effort

a carefully wrought report

2

: decorated with fancy designs

3

: beaten into shape by tools : hammered

wrought metals

4

: very excited

gets wrought up over nothing