wrapped

wrapped — adjective

1. having paper, cloth, or other material wound around it, usually for protection,

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

having paper, cloth, or other material wound around it, usually for protection, storage, or as a gift

Example

The wrapped gift sat under the Christmas tree, waiting to be opened.

typical context: under a tree or on a table

Joon carefully placed the wrapped sandwiches into a brown paper bag.

Common collocations
  • wrapped in paper
  • wrapped in cloth
  • wrapped in foil
  • wrapped gift
  • wrapped parcel
  • tightly wrapped
  • beautifully wrapped
Synonyms
  • packaged

    focuses on being placed inside a box or container; more commercial in tone

  • covered

    broader meaning — any kind of cover, not necessarily wound around

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

wrapped + in + material

Usage Note

Often describes gifts, food, or parcels that have a covering around them. The material used for wrapping is stated with in: wrapped in paper, wrapped in foil, wrapped in cloth.

Common Mistakes

She handed me a wrapped in paper gift.
She handed me a gift wrapped in paper.
do not insert the prepositional phrase between wrapped and the noun it modifies.
The gift was wrapped with a red ribbon.' (when describing the ribbon that holds the covering).
The gift was tied with a red ribbon.
use tied for ribbons or string that secure the covering; use wrapped for the covering itself.

2. extremely happy, pleased, or excited about something that has happened or is exp

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

extremely happy, pleased, or excited about something that has happened or is expected to happen

Example

Élise was completely wrapped about getting the job she had wanted for years.

be wrapped about + noun phrase (getting a job)

The children were wrapped with excitement about the upcoming school trip.

be wrapped with + emotion noun

Common collocations
  • wrapped about
  • wrapped with
  • absolutely wrapped
  • completely wrapped
Synonyms
  • thrilled

    more common in both British and American English; slightly more formal than wrapped

  • delighted

    more formal register; standard across all English varieties

  • overjoyed

    stronger emotion; implies happiness beyond what was expected

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be wrapped + about/with + noun

be wrapped + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Primarily informal British English. Less common in American English, where thrilled or excited would be used instead. Often followed by about or a to-infinitive clause.

Common Mistakes

I am wrapped to meet you.' (on first introduction).
I am pleased to meet you.
wrapped describes a pre-existing excitement about a specific event, not a polite greeting formula.
The audience was wrapped by the speech.
The audience was rapt during the speech.
do not confuse wrapped (thrilled) with rapt (fully absorbed); they are homophones but have different meanings.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe a high degree of happiness, but they differ in intensity and usage. Thrilled is the closest synonym to wrapped and is the most common choice in both British and American English — it suggests excitement mixed with happiness (e.g., 'She was thrilled to receive the offer'). Delighted is more formal and implies a calm, refined pleasure rather than excitement (e.g., 'We are delighted to welcome you'). Overjoyed expresses happiness beyond expectation, often in response to life-changing news (e.g., 'The parents were overjoyed at the birth of their twins'). Ecstatic is the strongest of the group, describing an almost uncontrollable state of joy (e.g., 'The crowd was ecstatic when the final goal was scored'). Wrapped sits between thrilled and overjoyed in intensity and is marked as informal British slang, whereas the others are neutral in register and understood in all varieties of English.

thrilled ↗delighted ↗overjoyedecstatic

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • wrapped up
  • wrapped around

Prepositions

Etymology

Old Scandinavian (possibly)Middle EnglishEnglish

Wrapped comes from the Middle English verb wrappen, meaning 'to wind around' or 'to cover by folding something over.' The word first appeared in English around the 1300s, with roots possibly tracing back to Old Scandinavian. The adjective form developed naturally from the past participle of the verb, describing something that has been covered or enfolded. The informal sense 'extremely pleased' emerged in British English in the mid-20th century, likely as an extension of the idea of being emotionally 'wrapped up' in something — completely surrounded by good feelings.