Past Tense of Wind
The past form depends on which verb “wind” you mean. The /waɪnd/ verb meaning turn, twist, or follow a curving course is irregular: wind → wound → wound. The /wɪnd/ verb meaning make someone short of breath uses “winded.”
For “wind” /waɪnd/ meaning turn or twist, use “wound” for both past tense and past participle. For “wind” /wɪnd/ meaning make breathless, use “winded.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| “wind” /waɪnd/ meaning turn, twist, wrap, or follow a curving course | wound | Use “wound” for both simple past and past participle. |
| “wind” /wɪnd/ meaning make someone short of breath | winded | Use the regular form “winded.” |
| spelling alone does not identify the intended verb | check pronunciation and meaning | Choose the past form from the sense and pronunciation. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Does the present verb rhyme with “find” and mean turn, twist, wrap, or follow a curving course?
If yes: Use “wound” for the past and past participle.
If no: If the verb rhymes with “pinned” and means make someone short of breath, use “winded”; otherwise identify the intended sense first.
Caveat: The spelling “wind” represents different verbs here. Pronunciation and meaning are essential, so “wound” and “winded” cannot be chosen by spelling alone.
Examples
She wound the cord around the handle.
For /waɪnd/ meaning turn or wrap, the simple past is “wound.”
He had wound the old clock before leaving.
The past participle of /waɪnd/ is also “wound.”
The steep climb winded him.
For /wɪnd/ meaning make short of breath, the past form is “winded.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Turn/twist sense: wind → wound → wound. Breath-related sense: wind → winded.
Fast Test
If the present verb rhymes with “find,” the ordinary past is “wound.” If it means make someone short of breath and rhymes with “pinned,” use “winded.”
Usage Boundary
Do not choose the past form from spelling alone; pronunciation and meaning identify which verb is intended.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Wind — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for the two verb pronunciations/senses of “wind,” including wind → wound → wound for turning/twisting and “winded” for the breath-related verb.