PURPOSE: To provide a wire electrode which can provide excellent work surface properties by providing material which can disperse electric discharge in the inside or over the surface of a wire, and furthermore can form an amolphous compound while being combined with the ingredients of a work.

CONSTITUTION: A thin film 12 over the surface of a wire electrode 2 is gradually destroyed so as to be formed into powder 13 as electric discharge is induced. The wire electrode 2 is continuously fed, powder 13 such as silicone and the like is dispersed into work fluid fed out of a work fluid feed nozzle. Electric discharge induced between the wire electrode 2 and a work 3 is minutely discharged over the surface of the work 3 by the powder 13 dispersed in work fluid, and electric discharge machining is thereby carried out uniformly over the work 3. As a result, the surface of the work 3 can thereby be enhanced in surface roughness. Besides, silicon, alumina and the like which are the constituents of the thin film 12 formed over the surface of a wire 11 are combined with the ingredients of the work 3 so as to be formed into an amolphous compound, and an amolphous layer is then formed over the surface of the work 3, so that the work surface of the work 3 is thereby enhanced in wear resistance.