Wishlist vs. Wish List – Which is Correct?
Both wishlist and wish list are correct American English spellings for a collection of desired items, requests, or goals. Wish list is the traditional open compound, while wishlist is a widely accepted modern closed compound, especially in e-commerce, apps, and marketing. Choose one style consistently in each document or interface.
wishlist or wish list – Which is Correct?
Both wishlist and wish list are correct. They have the same meaning: a written or digital collection of things someone wants, hopes for, or would like to receive. The main difference is spelling and style rather than meaning.
For a closer look at how wanting differs from hoping, compare Desire vs. Wish.
Wish list is the traditional open compound and remains common in general writing, publishing, and formal communications. Wishlist is the modern closed compound, used particularly often by online retailers, mobile applications, software platforms, and marketing teams.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the context as your memory aid. If you are talking about a physical list, a holiday request, or a general set of hopes, wish list is a safe traditional choice. If you are naming a website feature, button, account section, or app tool, wishlist often looks more natural.
The swap test also works: replace the phrase with “shopping list.” If you would write the familiar compound as two words in your sentence, choose wish list. If you are labeling a digital product feature, the compact form wishlist is usually preferred. Neither spelling is an error.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| wishlist | Noun | A collection of desired items or goals, usually written as one word | I saved the headphones to my online wishlist. |
| wish list | Noun | A collection of desired items or goals, written as two words | She made a wish list before her birthday. |
How to Use wishlist
Wishlist is a noun that refers to a collection of products, experiences, plans, or ambitions someone would like to have. It is especially common in digital commerce, where a user can save products for later without immediately purchasing them. The closed form has a modern, concise, and often informal-to-neutral tone.
Use wishlist when referring to a website feature, mobile application, gaming platform, travel-planning tool, or other digital service. It can also describe a personal collection of hopes in ordinary writing.
Example 1: The customer added the jacket to her wishlist.
Example 2: Our team created a wishlist of features for the next software update.
Example 3: The charity published a wishlist of supplies needed by the shelter.
What are the different forms of wishlist?
Wishlist is a regular countable noun. Its singular form is wishlist, and its plural form is wishlists. For example, “The store lets each customer create a wishlist” becomes “The store lets customers create multiple wishlists.” The word does not function as a standard verb in general English, although product teams may occasionally use it informally as a verb in specialized contexts.
Etymology of the word wishlist
Wishlist is a modern closed compound formed from the noun wish and the noun list. Wish comes from Old English wyscan, meaning to desire or wish for, while list developed through Old French and related Germanic forms referring to a written record or catalogue. The closed spelling became increasingly common as compound nouns were shortened in commercial and digital language.
How to Use wish list
Wish list is the traditional open-compound spelling for a collection of things a person wants or hopes to obtain. It works well in general prose, educational writing, holiday communications, gift guides, and formal documents. Although the phrase is often associated with presents, it can also refer to priorities, requests, policy changes, travel plans, or personal ambitions.
Use wish list when you want a broadly familiar spelling that readers will immediately understand. It is also a suitable choice when your publication or organization follows a style guide that favors open compounds.
Example 1: The children prepared a wish list for the holidays.
Example 2: The mayor presented a wish list of transportation improvements.
Example 3: We made a wish list of destinations for our next vacation.
What are the different forms of wish list?
Wish list is a regular countable noun. Its singular form is wish list, and its plural form is wish lists. The words remain separate when the phrase is pluralized: “The website displays several wish lists.” A possessive form is written wish list’s for one list and wish lists’ for more than one.
Etymology of the word wish list
Wish list is an open compound made from wish and list. The word wish traces back to Old English, while list entered English through historical forms associated with written records and catalogues. The two-word phrase became established in English before the closed spelling wishlist gained popularity in retail, technology, and branding.
Related Concepts
Understanding compound nouns and spelling conventions makes it easier to choose between wishlist and wish list without treating either form as a spelling mistake.
- Compound nouns: A compound noun combines two or more words to express one idea. Compounds may appear as open forms, such as wish list, closed forms, such as wishlist, or hyphenated forms.
- Open and closed compounds: An open compound keeps a space between its words, while a closed compound combines them. English spelling often changes as frequently used compounds become more familiar.
- Style consistency: When both forms are accepted, a writer should select one spelling and use it consistently throughout an article, website, or brand interface.
- Countable nouns: Both forms can refer to one or more distinct lists. Their plurals are wish lists and wishlists.
Examples from Media and Literature
Both spellings appear naturally in modern media, publishing, and everyday communication. The preferred form often depends on the platform or publication’s style.
- Holiday gift guides commonly ask readers to create a wish list before a seasonal shopping event.
- Online retail websites frequently label their saved-product feature wishlist.
- Newspaper articles about public policy may describe a group’s wish list of reforms or funding requests.
- Travel magazines may present a destination wish list featuring places readers hope to visit.
- Video game stores and entertainment platforms often use wishlist for games or films a user wants to purchase later.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. In some cases, both forms are grammatically correct; select the form that best matches the context.
- The online store lets customers save products to a ______.
- My family asked me to prepare a birthday ______.
- The organization published a ______ of equipment it needs.
- Open the game’s ______ to see titles you may buy later.
- Our travel ______ includes Japan, Peru, and New Zealand.
Answer Key
- wishlist
- wish list
- wish list
- wishlist
- wish list
wishlist Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Desire list | A list of things someone wants or hopes to obtain |
| Shopping list | A list of products someone intends or hopes to buy |
| Favorites | Items saved because they are especially appealing or preferred |
| Saved items | Products or options stored for later consideration |
wish list Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| List of wishes | A collection of things a person wants or hopes for |
| Requests | Items or actions someone formally or informally asks for |
| Goals | Desired outcomes someone plans or hopes to achieve |
| Aspirations | Important ambitions or hopes for the future |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “wishlist” or “wish list” correct?
Both are correct in American English. Wish list is the traditional open spelling, while wishlist is a widely accepted modern form.
Question 2: Is “wishlist” more common for online shopping?
Yes. E-commerce websites, apps, and digital platforms often use wishlist as the name of a saved-product feature. However, wish list is also grammatically correct in online shopping contexts.
Question 3: Should I use “wish list” or “wishlist” in formal writing?
Either form may be used, but wish list is the more traditional choice for formal or general-purpose writing. Always follow your organization’s style guide and remain consistent.
Conclusion
Wishlist and wish list are two correct spellings of the same noun. Choose wishlist for a concise digital, retail, or technology context, and choose wish list for traditional general prose, holiday writing, or formal requests. Pro Tip: Consistent spelling strengthens your professional reputation, so select one form and use it throughout your document or brand.
