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
"I hardly ken. Was 'a truly cross wi' me, do you wis?"
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
Weger, who grew up in Madison, Wis., studied cinema during graduate school at NYU and later moved to Los Angeles to work in Hollywood as a producer and stylist, is no minimalist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
“We’ve been hammered by rate increases for years,” said Danny Veseth of Milwaukee, Wis. “Leaner means increased affordability.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Tim Brunker, a 68-year-old retiree in Kenosha, Wis., has been waiting for this moment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
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
Ellingson, 72 Wis., 242; 39 N. W., 330.138.Toby v.
From The Clergyman's Hand-book of Law by Charles M. Scanlan
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.
