| Document and Entity Information | Aug. 08, 2019 |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Wave Life Sciences Ltd. |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001631574 |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Document Period End Date | Aug. 8, 2019 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | U0 |
| Entity File Number | 001-37627 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 00-0000000 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 7 Straits View #12-00, |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Marina One |
| Entity Address, Address Line Three | East Tower |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Singapore |
| Entity Address, Country | SG |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 018936 |
| City Area Code | +65 |
| Local Phone Number | 6236 3388 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Title of 12(b) Security | $0 Par Value Ordinary Shares |
| Trading Symbol | WVE |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Description | This Current Report on Form 8-K/A is being filed by Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (the “Company”) as an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Current Report on Form 8-K that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2019 that disclosed the preliminary voting results (the “Original Report”) of the Company’s 2019 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on August 8, 2019 (the “Annual Meeting”). This Amendment to the Original Report is being filed to disclose the final voting results received on August 15, 2019, certified by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., the independent Inspector of Elections, and amends and restates Item 5.07 of the Original Report in its entirety. |
