wreck

BrE /rɛk/ AmE /rɛk/

noun / verb en → es

1 ACCIDENT [uncountable] B2

a serious accident, especially one involving a vehicle or ship

accidente grave, naufragio

  • have a wreck

Collocations car wreck · shipwreck

  • The car hit a tree and was completely destroyed in the wreck.

    El coche chocó con un árbol y quedó completamente destruido en el accidente.

2 DESTROY [transitive] B1

to destroy something completely, especially a building or vehicle

destruir por completo

  • wreck something

Collocations wreck a car · wreck a house

  • The storm wrecked the old wooden bridge.

    La tormenta destruyó el viejo puente de madera.

3 SHIP [countable] C1

an old or damaged ship that is no longer used, especially one that has sunk

barco hundido o dañado

  • a wreck

Collocations shipwreck · derelict ship

  • The divers found a wreck from the 18th century.

    Los buzos encontraron un barco hundido del siglo XVIII.

4 PERSON [countable] C1

a person who is in a very bad state, especially because of illness or injury

persona en mal estado

  • be a wreck

Collocations look like a wreck · feel like a wreck

  • She looked like a complete wreck after the accident.

    Ella parecía un completo desastre después del accidente.

5 DESTROY [transitive] B2

to destroy something completely, especially by removing or getting rid of it

destruir por completo

  • wreck something

Collocations wreck a business · wreck an opportunity

  • The company's bad management wrecked the business.

    La mala gestión de la empresa arruinó el negocio.

6 SHIP [transitive] C1

to cause a ship to be destroyed or damaged, especially by running it aground or sinking it

hundir o dañar un barco

  • wreck something

Collocations wreck a ship · wreck a boat

  • The captain wrecked the ship on the rocks.

    El capitán hundió el barco en las rocas.

7 DESTROY [transitive] B2

to destroy something completely, especially by removing or getting rid of it

destruir por completo

  • wreck something

Collocations wreck a reputation · wreck a career

  • His scandalous behavior wrecked his reputation.

    Su comportamiento escandaloso arruinó su reputación.

8 SHIP [transitive] C1

to cause a ship to be destroyed or damaged, especially by running it aground or sinking it

hundir o dañar un barco

  • wreck something

Collocations wreck a ship · wreck a boat

  • The storm wrecked the fishing boats.

    La tormenta hundió los barcos de pesca.