unwise
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unwise
First recorded before 900; Middle English unwis(e), unwisse, Old English unwīs “unwise, foolish, mad, insane”; see origin at un- 1, wise 1
Explanation
Doing something unwise means acting in a foolish or irrational way. It would be unwise to bring your cat to the library with you — you'll probably get in trouble, and the cat is unlikely to enjoy it. Wise means "having sound judgment or intelligence," and when you add the prefix un-, or "not," you get the exact opposite. Making an unwise choice means you're not using your good sense to consider all possible consequences. It would be unwise to wear shorts on the coldest day of the year, and even more unwise to walk barefoot to school in the snow. Use your common sense and wisdom and you'll avoid making unwise decisions!
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.
The word “nostalgia” first emerged to describe what doctors back then considered a malady, thinking it unwise to long for the past.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
However, moving is expensive, and it would be unwise to paint or make other permanent changes that will add to the already pricey experience of moving from one apartment to another.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
He prevented unwise trades from dismantling chemically correct combinations of players.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Watching the chaos you had to wonder about the logic of extending the numbers of away supporters, the obvious dangers, the unwise faith being placed in sections of these fans behaving themselves.
From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026
“While I thought that the oath was an extremely unwise policy, the extent of my protest against it was to sign it on the last possible day,” he explained in his memoirs.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
