Wig

Pronunciation

• enPR: wÄ­g, IPA: /wɪɡ/

• Homophones: Whig (in accents with the wine-whine merger)

Origin

Shortening of periwig, itself an alteration of French perruque.

Full definition of wig

Noun

1. A head of real or synthetic hair worn on the head to disguise baldness; for cultural or religious reasons; for fashion; or by actors to help them better resemble the character they are portraying.
2. (dated, among fishermen) An old seal.

Synonyms

• hairpiece
• toupee, toupe
• peruke
• periwig

Derived terms

• bald wig
• bewigged
• fright wig
• wigmaker
• wig out

Verb

1. To put on a wig; to provide with a wig (especially of an actor etc.).
2. (colloquial) To upbraid, reprimand.
3. (colloquial) To become very excitable or emotional; to lose control of one's emotions.

Related terms

• wig out