Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense wises, present participle wising, past tense, past participle wised, comparative wiser, superlative wisest
1. adjective
A wise person is able to use their experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions and judgments.
She has the air of a wise woman.
You're a wise old man: tell me what to do.
Synonyms: sage, knowing, understanding, aware More Synonyms of wise
wiselyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
The three of us stood around the machine nodding wisely.
2. adjective
A wise action or decision is sensible.
It's never wise to withhold evidence.
She had made a very wise decision.
It is wise to seek help and counsel as soon as possible.
Synonyms: sensible, sound, politic, informed More Synonyms of wise
wiselyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
They've invested their money wisely.
Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.
3.
See it would be wise to
4.
See get wise to sth
5.
See none the wiser/any the wiser
Phrasal verbs:
See wise up
-wise
(-waɪz)
1. combining form
-wise is added to nouns to form adverbs indicating that something is the case when considering the particular thing mentioned.
Career-wise, this illness couldn't have come at a worse time.
It was a much better day weather-wise.
Because the work was voluntary it was flexible, time-wise.
2. combining form [ADVERB after verb]
-wise is added to nouns to form adverbs indicating that someone behaves in the same way as the person or thing that is mentioned.
We were housed student-wise in dormitory rooms.
Kenny, struggling with too many chairs, moved crabwise towards the door.
wise in British English1
(waɪz)
adjective
1.
possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment
2.
prudent; sensible
3.
shrewd; crafty
a wise plan
4.
well-informed; erudite
5.
aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase none the wiser)
6. slang(postpositive; often foll byto)
in the know, esp possessing inside information (about)
7. archaic
possessing powers of magic
8. slang, mainly US and Canadian
cocksure or insolent
9. be wise
10. put wise
verb
11. wise up
Derived forms
wisely (ˈwisely)
adverb
wiseness (ˈwiseness)
noun
Word origin
Old English wīs; related to Old Norse vīss, Gothic weis, German weise
wise in British English2
(waɪz)
noun
archaic
way, manner, fashion, or respect (esp in the phrases any wise, in no wise)
Word origin
Old English wīse manner; related to Old Saxon wīsa, German Weise, Old Norse vīsa verse, Latin vīsus face
-wise in British English
combining form inadverb
1. Also: -ways
indicating direction or manner
clockwise
likewise
2.
with reference to
profitwise
businesswise
Word origin
Old English -wisan; see wise2
Wise in American English
(waɪz)
1.
Stephen Samuel1874-1949; U.S. rabbi & Jewish leader, born in Hungary
2.
Thomas James1859-1937; Eng. bibliophile, editor, & forger
wise in American English1
(waɪz)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈwiser or ˈwisest
1.
having or showing good judgment; sagacious; prudent
2.
prompted by wisdom; judicious; sound
a wise saying, wise action
3.
having information; informed
none the wiser
4.
learned; erudite
5.
shrewd; crafty; cunning
6. Dialectal
having knowledge of black magic, etc.
7. US, Slang
a.
annoyingly self-assured, knowing, conceited, etc.
b.
impudent; fresh
Idioms:
be (or get) wise to
get wise
put someone wise (to)
wise up
Derived forms
wisely (ˈwisely)
adverb
Word origin
ME wis < OE, akin to witan, to know, OHG wis, MDu wijs < PGmc *wisa-, wise < IE *weid- < base *w(e)di-, to see, know > Sans vēdas, knowledge, Gr idris, knowing, L videre, to see
wise in American English2
(waɪz)
noun
way; manner
used chiefly in such phrases as in no wise and in this wise
Word origin
ME < OE, akin to Ger weise (orig. sense prob. “appearance”): for IE base see wise1
wise in American English3
(waɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: wised or ˈwising Scottish
1.
to direct or guide
2.
to convey or conduct
Word origin
ME wisen < OE wisian, akin to ON visa, Goth (fulla-)weisjan, OHG wisen < base of wise1
-wise in American English
(waɪz)
1.
in a (specified) direction, position, or manner
lengthwise
see also -ways
2.
in a manner characteristic of
clockwise
3.
with regard to; in connection with
a revival of an earlier usage
budgetwise
Word origin
< wise2
Examples of 'wise' in a sentence
wise
Bring in some wise old heads to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
The Sun (2016)
And now he is older and wiser than first time.
The Sun (2016)
The moon makes you wiser about love and you get the right balance between give and take.
The Sun (2016)
You look at love in a wise way and see the difference between flattery and genuine feelings.
The Sun (2016)
You will be wise about money, which is not the family role you usually play.
The Sun (2017)
Wise men have known for some time Tizzard is a man to follow.
The Sun (2016)
A good listener, he dispensed wise counsel.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You're wiser about love and know it will always be important, but friends need your time and attention.
The Sun (2016)
Maybe I am getting wiser, after all.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Then up spoke the oldest and wisest of them all.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can be strong and organised with money and make wise plans.
The Sun (2011)
Your wisest friend makes the introductions and this time gets it right.
The Sun (2016)
You may be wise not to move closer.
Mansfield, Patricia Why Am I Afraid to be Assertive? (1994)
This is wise counsel for composition students as well.
Christianity Today (2000)
Let this experience make you wise up.
The Sun (2008)
Your ideas get extra money flowing into the family but plan wise ways to use it.
The Sun (2008)
You are wiser about love and see that time spent with friends stops a relationship getting claustrophobic.
The Sun (2012)
He may be all right as a wise old king.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It might be wisest to get out of the road.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You are wiser about money and take control of what you are spending.
The Sun (2007)
This is a wise move to link up the past to the future.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
None of this would have been possible without the support and wise counsel of bankers.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The trick is to be wise enough to know the highs will probably be outnumbered by hitches.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is a wise way to fund public art.
The Sun (2014)
But mostly he talks about getting older and wiser and putting the wild days and the bad days behind him.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The Ireland pack has a more recognisable mix of wise old heads and younger bucks.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His job calls for a wise, calm head.
The Sun (2008)
Otherwise, put on a wise face and disguise your baffled ignorance.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I doubt whether it is wise or prudent to lecture other races in their own country.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Quotations
The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forgetThomas SzaszThe Second Sin
It's a wise child that knows its own father
A word to the wise is enough
It is easy to be wise after the event
In other languages
wise
British English: wise /waɪz/ ADJECTIVE
A wise person is able to use their experience and knowledge to make sensible decisions and judgments.
She's a wise woman.
American English: wise
Arabic: حَكِيم
Brazilian Portuguese: sábio
Chinese: 英明的
Croatian: mudar
Czech: moudrý
Danish: vis
Dutch: wijs
European Spanish: sabio
Finnish: viisas
French: sage connaissances
German: weise
Greek: σοφός
Italian: saggio
Japanese: 賢い
Korean: 현명한
Norwegian: klok
Polish: mądry
European Portuguese: sábio
Romanian: înțelept
Russian: мудрый
Latin American Spanish: sabio
Swedish: vis
Thai: เฉลียวฉลาด
Turkish: akıllı
Ukrainian: мудрий
Vietnamese: khôn ngoan
Chinese translation of 'wise'
wise
(waɪz)
adj
[person]睿智的 (ruìzhì de)
[action, remark]明智的 (míngzhì de)
I'm none the wiser我仍然糊里(裡)糊涂(塗) (wǒ réngrán hú li hútu)
it would be wise to do it now现(現)在去做这(這)件事应(應)是明智之举(舉) (xiànzài qù zuò zhè jiàn shì yīng shì míngzhì zhī jǔ)
1 (adjective)
Definition
possessing or showing wisdom
She has the air of a wise woman.
Synonyms
sage
My parents were always on hand to offer sage advice.
knowing
understanding
aware
They are politically very aware.
informed
clever
My sister has always been the clever one in our family.
intelligent
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
sensible
switched-on (informal)
enlightened
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
discerning
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
perceptive
a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth
well-informed
a man who was well-informed about world events
sussed (British, slang)
erudite
sagacious (formal)
a wise and sagacious leader
sapient
clued-up (informal)
grounded
Opposites
stupid
,
silly
,
foolish
,
unwise
,
unintelligent
2 (adjective)
Definition
possessing or showing wisdom
She had made a very wise decision.
Synonyms
sensible
It might be sensible to get a solicitor.
sound
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
politic
Many people found it politic to change their allegiance.
informed
reasonable
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
clever
intelligent
rational
a rational decision
logical
There was a logical explanation.
shrewd
prudent
We believed ours was the prudent and responsible course of action.
judicious
The President authorizes the judicious use of military force.
well-advised
Opposites
stupid
,
silly
,
foolish
,
rash
,
daft (informal)
,
unwise
,
unintelligent
,
injudicious
idiom
See put someone wise
phrase
See wise to
Quotation
The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget [Thomas Szasz – The Second Sin]
proverbs
It's a wise child that knows its own fatherA word to the wise is enoughIt is easy to be wise after the event
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aware
Definition
informed
They are politically very aware.
Synonyms
informed,
enlightened,
knowledgeable,
learned,
expert,
versed,
up to date,
in the picture,
plugged-in (slang),
in the know (informal),
erudite,
well-read,
au fait,
in the loop,
well-briefed,
au courant,
clued-up (informal)
in the sense of clever
Definition
displaying sharp intelligence or mental alertness
My sister has always been the clever one in our family.
Synonyms
intelligent,
quick,
bright,
talented,
gifted,
keen,
capable,
smart,
sensible,
rational,
witty,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
brainy (informal),
quick-witted,
sagacious (formal),
knowing,
deep,
expert
in the sense of discerning
Definition
having or showing good judgment
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
Synonyms
discriminating,
knowing,
sharp,
critical,
acute,
sensitive,
wise,
intelligent,
subtle,
piercing,
penetrating,
shrewd,
ingenious,
astute,
perceptive,
judicious,
clear-sighted,
percipient,
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
Synonyms of 'wise'
wise
Explore 'wise' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of intelligent
Definition
having or showing intelligence
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
Synonyms
clever,
bright,
smart,
knowing,
quick,
sharp,
acute,
alert,
rational,
penetrating,
enlightened,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
well-informed,
brainy (informal),
perspicacious,
quick-witted,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of judicious
Definition
having or showing good judgment
The President authorizes the judicious use of military force.
Synonyms
sensible,
considered,
reasonable,
discerning,
sound,
politic,
acute,
informed,
diplomatic,
careful,
wise,
cautious,
rational,
sober,
discriminating,
thoughtful,
discreet,
sage,
enlightened,
shrewd,
prudent,
sane,
skilful,
astute,
expedient,
circumspect,
well-advised,
well-judged,
sagacious (formal),
sapient (ironic)
in the sense of knowing
Definition
cunning or shrewd
Synonyms
cunning,
experienced,
expert,
qualified,
acute,
clever,
intelligent,
competent,
shrewd,
discerning,
skilful,
astute,
perceptive,
well-informed,
sagacious (formal),
clued-up (informal)
in the sense of logical
Definition
reasonable because of facts or events
There was a logical explanation.
Synonyms
reasonable,
obvious,
sensible,
most likely,
natural,
necessary,
wise,
plausible,
judicious
in the sense of perceptive
Definition
observant
a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth
Synonyms
observant,
acute,
intelligent,
discerning,
quick,
aware,
sharp,
sensitive,
alert,
penetrating,
discriminating,
shrewd,
responsive,
astute,
intuitive,
insightful,
percipient,
perspicacious (formal)
in the sense of politic
Definition
wise or possibly advantageous
Many people found it politic to change their allegiance.
Synonyms
wise,
diplomatic,
sensible,
discreet,
prudent,
advisable,
expedient,
judicious,
tactful,
sagacious (formal),
in your best interests
in the sense of prudent
Definition
exercising good judgment
We believed ours was the prudent and responsible course of action.
Synonyms
wise,
politic,
sensible,
sage,
shrewd,
discerning,
judicious,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of rational
Definition
reasonable or sensible
a rational decision
Synonyms
sensible,
sound,
wise,
reasonable,
intelligent,
realistic,
logical,
enlightened,
sane,
lucid,
judicious,
sagacious,
grounded
in the sense of reasonable
Definition
logical
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
Synonyms
sensible,
reasoned,
sound,
practical,
wise,
intelligent,
rational,
logical,
sober,
credible,
plausible,
sane,
judicious,
grounded
in the sense of sagacious
Definition
wise or sensible
a wise and sagacious leader
Synonyms
wise,
shrewd,
astute,
knowing,
able,
fly (slang),
sharp,
acute,
smart,
intelligent,
sage,
discerning,
canny,
perceptive,
judicious,
insightful,
far-sighted,
clear-sighted,
long-headed,
sharp-witted,
perspicacious (formal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of shrewd
Definition
intelligent and making good judgments
She's a shrewd businesswoman.a shrewd guess
Synonyms
astute,
clever,
sharp,
knowing,
fly (slang),
keen,
acute,
smart,
calculated,
calculating,
intelligent,
discriminating,
cunning,
discerning,
sly,
canny,
perceptive,
wily,
crafty,
artful,
far-sighted,
far-seeing,
long-headed (rare),
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of sound
Definition
showing good judgment or reasoning
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
Synonyms
sensible,
wise,
reasonable,
right,
true,
responsible,
correct,
proper,
reliable,
valid,
orthodox,
rational,
logical,
prudent,
trustworthy,
well-founded,
level-headed,
right-thinking,
well-grounded,
grounded
in the sense of well-informed
Definition
knowing a lot about a great variety of subjects or about one particular subject