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Synonyms

wizard

American  
[wiz-erd] / ˈwɪz ərd /

noun

  1. a person who practices magic; magician or sorcerer.

    Synonyms:
    diviner, thaumaturge, necromancer, enchanter

  2. a conjurer or juggler.

  3. Also whiz, wiz a person of amazing skill or accomplishment.

    a wizard at chemistry.

  4. Computers. a software feature that guides users through complex procedures with step-by-step instructions, often presented in dialog boxes.

adjective

  1. of or relating to a wizard.

  2. magic.

  3. British Slang. superb; excellent; wonderful.

    That's wizard!
wizard British  
/ ˈwɪzəd /

noun

  1. a male witch or a man who practises or professes to practise magic or sorcery

  2. a person who is outstandingly clever in some specified field; expert

  3. obsolete a wise man

  4. computing a computer program that guides a user through a complex task

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. informal superb; outstanding

  2. of or relating to a wizard or wizardry

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • wizardlike adjective
  • wizardly adjective

Etymology

Origin of wizard

First recorded in 1400–50, late Middle English wisard; see wise 1, -ard

Explanation

A wizard is a kind of magician. A wise man who can perform magic spells in a fairy tale or fantasy novel is often described as a wizard. One of the most famous fictional wizards is Harry Potter, who first learns of his magical abilities when Hagrid says, "Harry — yer a wizard." Sometimes wizards are described as male versions of witches, while other stories use the term as a gender-neutral name for anyone with magical powers. Colloquially, you might call someone a wizard if they're truly amazing at what they do (even if it's not magic): "She's a wizard at dog training!"

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

McLaughlin will star as the titular wizard opposite Stanton as Hermione Granger and Stout as Ron Weasley.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Some wizard just proposed fixing this daffy, diluted, far-too-long 16 team playoff by making it 24 teams.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

For ages, I've been campaigning for a wizard in a wheelchair or a disability to be visible in that world in some way.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

But despite showing more grit, they were again outplayed by an Australian team who suffered a setback with spin wizard Nathan Lyon hurting his hamstring and hobbling off.

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

“What’d you do to my wand?” the wizard demands.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.