WordValewind up
to end up; to conclude
In more detail
1. (verb) to finally be in a particular situation or place, especially after a series of events
2. (verb) to turn a handle or key on a device to make it work or to tighten something
3. (verb) to deliberately annoy or provoke someone
Examples
- 1. After traveling for years, she wound up settling in Canada.
- 2. You need to wind up the clock so it keeps time accurately.
- 3. He's just trying to wind you up; don't get angry.
How to use wind up
Wind up meaning 'end up' is commonly used to describe how someone arrives at an unexpected or notable situation after a chain of events, often with a neutral or slightly resigned tone. It is frequently used in informal narrative contexts. The second sense (turning/tightening) is more technical or mechanical. The third sense (to provoke) is informal British English and suggests intentional mischief-making.
Common phrases
- wind up in prison
- wind up doing something
- wind up with
- wind up arguing
- wind up as
- wind up together
Synonyms
end up · finish up · conclude · arrive at · find oneself
Word family
wound up (adjective: tense, anxious) · winding up (gerund) · winds up (third person)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 'wind up' (stress-related; becoming tense) with 'wind up' (provoke someone), or fail to recognize that the meaning shifts depending on whether it takes an object or not.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD