wreck

Everyday

1. A ship, car, plane or building that has been badly damaged or destroyed. tree →
2. (verb) To damage or destroy something badly. tree →
3. (verb) To spoil plans or chances: «The rain wrecked our picnic.» tree →
4. (informal) A person who is very tired, ill or upset: «I'm a wreck.» tree →

In the lessons

In history and stories: shipwrecks, divers exploring a wreck. In everyday life: «The kids wrecked the room» means made a big mess. In safety: never play near a car wreck or old building. Phrases: «a nervous wreck», «shipwreck».

Examples

• Divers explored the wreck of the old ship. tree →
• The storm wrecked the garden fence. tree →
• Don't wreck your sister's sandcastle! tree →
• Rain wrecked our plans for a barbecue. tree →
• After the long journey, I was a total wreck. tree →
• The car was a wreck after the crash, but everyone was safe. tree →
• "It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck," they cried. tree →

Note

Silent w: say «rek». Regular verb: wrecked. Do not confuse with «reck» (old word) or «wreak» (as in «wreak havoc»). Wreckage = the broken pieces left.