wiseacre

[ wahyz-ey-ker ]

/ ˈwaɪzˌeɪ kər /

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noun

a person who possesses or affects to possess great wisdom.

wise guy.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of wiseacre

1585–95; <Middle Dutch wijssager prophet, translation of Middle High German wīssage,late Old High German wīssago, by popular etymology equivalent to wīs wise + sago sayer, from earlier wīzzago wise person; cognate with Old English wītega, akin to wit²

Words nearby wiseacre

Wisdom of Jesus, the Son of Sirach, Wisdom of Solomon, wisdom teeth, wisdom tooth, wise, wiseacre, wise-ass, wisecrack, wise guy, wisely, Wiseman

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wiseacre in a sentence

Yes, as some wiseacre will point out in the comments, this is the hometown of the Chiefs.
Dan Snyder's Indian Chief Is Neither|Michael Tomasky|June 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
An order had been issued by the wiseacre in command of the Army of the Potomac that all guerrillas taken should be put to death.
Duffels|Edward Eggleston
The learned ignorance of the wiseacre always compels him to laugh at the man with an idea that is new.
The Common Sense of Socialism|John Spargo
One wiseacre in command in London declared his belief that the Tower was no longer “tenable.”
Andrew Marvell|Augustine Birrell

He had choice among the pick of women: the daughter of the Old Buccaneer was preferred by the wiseacre Coelebs.
The Amazing Marriage, Complete|George Meredith
And he described himself as stronger than ever, and poured scorn on the medical wiseacre who had tried to refuse him.
Ghetto Comedies|Israel Zangwill

British Dictionary definitions for wiseacre

wiseacre

/ (ˈwaɪzˌeɪkə) /

noun

a person who wishes to seem wise

a wise person: often used facetiously or contemptuously

Word Origin for wiseacre

C16: from Middle Dutch wijsseggher soothsayer; related to Old High German wīssaga, German Weissager. See wise 1, say

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wiseacre

Origin of wiseacre

Words nearby wiseacre

Words related to wiseacre

How to use wiseacre in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wiseacre

Word Origin for wiseacre