wise guy

noun

1. Informal.,  a cocksure, conceited, and often insolent person; smart aleck.

   He has a reputation for being a wise guy.

wise guy

noun

1. informal,  a person who is given to making conceited, sardonic, or insolent comments

2. a member of the Mafia

Other Word Forms

• wise-guy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wise guy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Idioms and Phrases

An obnoxious know-it-all, a person who makes sarcastic or annoying remarks, as in the teacher was delighted that the worst wise guy in the class was moving out of town. [Slang; second half of 1800s] Also see smart aleck.

Example Sentences

And then the wise guys in my office, they made a bobblehead of me sinking in the Bitcoin boat.

From Salon

“You wouldn’t hire a wise guy, you wouldn’t hire a made man, like a mobster, to work in a DA’s office.”

From Los Angeles Times

“You wouldn’t hire a wise guy, you wouldn’t hire a made man, like a mobster to work in a D.A.’s office.”

From Los Angeles Times

Mad magazine cartoonist and ageless wise guy delighted millions with the sneaky fun of the Fold-In and the snark of “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.”

From Seattle Times

Mad magazine’s award-winning cartoonist and ageless wise guy who delighted millions of kids with the sneaky fun of the Fold-In and the snark of “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• know-it-all