Wend vs wind

Photo of author

Grammarist

Wend and wind are two words that are pronounced the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings, which makes them homophones. We will examine the definitions of wend and wind, where these terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Wend means to travel in a direction in a slow or meandering fashion. Wend is an intransitive verb, which is a verb that does not take an object. Related words are wends, wended, wending. The word wend is derived from the Old English word wendan which means to turn or to translate.

Wind, pronounced with a short i, means a current of air or moving air. Wind may be used figuratively to mean something that is coming. Wind may also mean a person’s breath or to be rendered breathless due to exercise. In Britain, wind may mean a belch or flatulence. The word wind is derived from the Germanic word windaz.

Examples

“There is no logical excuse for these cases to be taking years to wend through such a defective system.” (The Sparta Independent)

Residents are invited to join the DeKalb Park District at 9 a.m. at the park along Taylor Street and David Avenue to check out the new playground, sand volleyball and basketball courts, and walk on the paths that wend through the park. (The DeKalb Daily Chronicle)

THE feature Bletchingly Stakes has been absorbed into next Sunday’s Grand National Hurdle meeting at Sandown, after high winds forced the abandonment of the last five races at Caulfield on Saturday. (The Herald Sun)

A very winded Peterson quickly replies with “they fell off going up the hill,” which drew a hearty laugh from the crowd. (The Lowell Sun)