wis
verb (used with or without object)
to know.
wis
1 American
[wis]
/ wɪs /
verb (used with or without object)
Archaic.
Wis.
2
American
Or
Wisc
abbreviation
Wis.
1
British
abbreviation
wis
2
British
/ wɪs /
verb
Etymology
Origin of wis
1500–10; by false analysis of iwis as I wis I know; see wit 2
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.
See Examples For:
“Tunes hiv been whirlin aroon in the air an in ma heid an hairt since I wis a bairn, an I wis composing tunes an songs even then,” she wrote in her book.
From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2022
“I remember a time when there wis so many boats that yi’ could walk across the harbor on their decks,” he told me forlornly.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2017
“I knew what was happening, but I did nothing. I just watched from the windae; my mind wis blank,” she told me.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2017
Seahawks-Packers controversial finish: On the last play of Monday Night Football, the Seattle Seahawks’ Golden Tate wis credited with hauling in a 24-yard, game-winning touchdown pass in a 14-12 win against the Packers.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 25, 2012
As we passed from the kitchen into a great open room, I said, "Will 'a be cross wi' me, do you wis?"
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
The organization was originally founded in Appleton, Wis., where it gained a following and was moved to Fresno in 2015.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
“I look at it like, how can’t I pick up where I left off?” said the Hudson, Wis., mom.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas rescued the group from obscurity after catching Cheap Trick’s act at a bowling alley in Waukesha, Wis. Impressed, he offered to help.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Scientists and engineers at Kimberly-Clark’s KMB 0.61%increase; green up pointing triangle Neenah, Wis., facility spent months huddled around a Huggies Snug & Dry diaper.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
W. T. Randall, cashier of the Milwaukee Trust and Savings Bank, Milwaukee, Wis., writes a letter, the purpose of which is to secure savings accounts.
From Business English A Practice Book by Buhlig, Rose
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.
