Skip to main content

be wired to — to have a natural tendency or ability to behave, think, or feel in a certain way, as if it were programmed into the brain or body

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to have a natural tendency or ability to behave, think, or feel in a certain way, as if it were programmed into the brain or body

Pronunciation (IPA): /bi ˈwaɪərd tu/

Example Sentences

  • My dog is wired to bark at every delivery person, even the same one every single day.
  • Scientists say our brains are wired to remember negative experiences more vividly than positive ones.
  • I'm just wired to eat dessert first — it's not a choice, it's biology!

be wired to

VERB

[/bi ˈwaɪərd tu/]

to have a natural tendency or ability to behave, think, or feel in a certain way, as if it were programmed into the brain or body

Babies seem wired to smile back whenever someone smiles at them first.
💡 Concept

Babies seem wired to smile back whenever someone smiles at them first.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/bi ˈwaɪərd tu/
🇬🇧 UK/biː ˈwaɪəd tuː/

🌳Etymology

Rootwire
Suffix--ed

Origin

Derived from the literal meaning 'connected by wires' in electronics, later used metaphorically to describe neural circuits in the brain that predispose humans to certain behaviors.

Breakdown

be (state) + wire (to connect with wire) + -ed (past participle) + to (infinitive marker, indicating purpose/tendency)

🎵Rhyme

hired
fired
tired
inspired

🔗Collocations

be wired to survive
be wired to love
be wired to fear
genetically wired to
the brain is wired to
be wired differently
seem to be wired to

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My dog is wired to bark at every delivery person, even the same one every single day.”

“Scientists say our brains are wired to remember negative experiences more vividly than positive ones.”

😄 Fun example

“I'm just wired to eat dessert first — it's not a choice, it's biology!”

“Public officials should be wired to prioritize the public good over personal gain.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.