wise
1having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.
characterized by or showing such power; judicious or prudent: a wise decision.
having knowledge or information as to facts, circumstances, etc.: We are wiser for their explanations.
Slang. informed; in the know: You're wise, so why not give us the lowdown?
Archaic. having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.
Slang. to make wise or aware: I'll wise you, kid.
wise up, Slang. to make or become aware of a secret or generally unknown fact, situation, attitude, etc.: They wised him up on how to please the boss.She never wised up to the fact that the joke was on her.
Idioms about wise
get wise, Slang.
to become informed.
to be or become presumptuous or impertinent: Don't get wise with me, young man!
put / set someone wise, Slang. to inform a person; let a person in on a secret or generally unknown fact: Some of the others put him wise to what was going on.
wise to, Slang. familiar or aware; cognizant of; no longer deceived by a lie, confidence game, trick, or misdirection: In the end, the investors were wise to the fraud.: Also be / get wise to .
Origin of wise
1Other words for wise
Opposites for wise
Other words from wise
- wise·ly, adverb
Other definitions for wise (2 of 5)
Origin of wise
2Other definitions for wise (3 of 5)
Chiefly Scot.
to instruct.
to induce or advise.
to show the way to; guide.
Scot. to direct the course of; cause to turn.
Origin of wise
3Other definitions for Wise (4 of 5)
Isaac May·er [mahy-er], /ˈmaɪ ər/, 1819–1900, U.S. rabbi and educator, born in Bohemia: founder of Reform Judaism in the U.S.
Stephen Samuel, 1874–1949, U.S. rabbi, theologian, and Zionist leader; born in Hungary.
Other definitions for -wise (5 of 5)
a suffixal use of wise2 in adverbs denoting manner, position, direction, reference, etc.: counterclockwise; edgewise; marketwise; timewise.
confusables note For -wise
- Compare -ways.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use wise in a sentence
This is the Mexico that U.S. college students would be wise to steer clear of on spring break.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting | Ruben Navarrette Jr. | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTI did a piece for Elle about the effort to remake her into an elegant presence fashion-wise.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination | Mindy Farabee | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTKendrick rapidly chants these last lines in repetition with Bilal and Anna wise sing-shouting behind him, like a rallying cry.
Kendrick Lamar Shuts Down ‘The Colbert Report’ with Untitled Track | Charlise Ferguson | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut most women do the walk with their man, even if they later wise up and decide to leave him after all.
Florida, with its large seasonal migrations of northeasterners, is also now a wine-wise state.
The most High hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise man will not abhor them.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousA wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousShe is quite true, but not wise, and your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuThere are three things a wise man will not trust: the wind, the sunshine of an April day, and woman's plighted faith.
Pearls of Thought | Maturin M. BallouIt's an idle question, I know; wise men and musty philosophers say that regrets are foolish.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
British Dictionary definitions for wise (1 of 3)
/ (waɪz) /
possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment
prudent; sensible
shrewd; crafty: a wise plan
well-informed; erudite
aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase none the wiser)
slang (postpositive often foll by to) in the know, esp possessing inside information (about)
archaic possessing powers of magic
slang, mainly US and Canadian cocksure or insolent
be wise or get wise (often foll by to) informal to be or become aware or informed (of something) or to face up (to facts)
put wise (often foll by to) slang to inform or warn (of)
See wise up
Origin of wise
1Derived forms of wise
- wisely, adverb
- wiseness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for wise (2 of 3)
/ (waɪz) /
archaic way, manner, fashion, or respect (esp in the phrases any wise, in no wise)
Origin of wise
2British Dictionary definitions for -wise (3 of 3)
Also: -ways indicating direction or manner: clockwise; likewise
with reference to: profitwise; businesswise
Origin of -wise
3Collins 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 Idioms and Phrases with wise
In addition to the idioms beginning with wise
- wise guy
- wise up to
also see:
- get wise to
- none the wiser
- penny wise and pound foolish
- put wise
- sadder but wiser
- word to the wise
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse