wizard

[wiz-erd]

See more synonyms for wizard on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who practices magic; magician or sorcerer.
a conjurer or juggler.
Also whiz, wiz [wiz] /wɪz/. a person of amazing skill or accomplishment: a wizard at chemistry.

Computers. a software feature that guides users through complex procedures with step-by-step instructions, often presented in dialog boxes.

adjective

of or relating to a wizard.
magic.
British Slang. superb; excellent; wonderful: That's wizard!

Origin of wizard

First recorded in 1400–50, wizard is from the late Middle English word wisard. See wise¹, -ard

Related formswiz·ard·like, adjective

Synonyms for wizard

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1. enchanter, necromancer, thaumaturge, diviner.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for wizard

genius, whiz, shark, warlock, diviner, seer, astrologer, enchanter, magus, conjurer, medium, witch, fortuneteller, soothsayer, shaman, clairvoyant, magician, sorcerer, occultist, hypnotist

Examples from the Web for wizard

Contemporary Examples of wizard

“The Wizard of Watts is not just about police brutality,” he says.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical
Stereo Williams
January 9, 2015
Replying to a fan, she wrote, “Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard.”
Harry Potter and the Torah of Terror
Candida Moss, Joel Baden
January 4, 2015
To simply stay in the Wizard Chambers for a night with breakfast will run you $336 for two.
Stay in the Magical ‘Harry Potter’ Hotel: London’s Georgian House Offers ‘Wizard’s Chambers’
Marlow Stern
October 26, 2014
In the first episode, you meet Raoul Walsh and Gloria Swanson and Victor Fleming, who directed The Wizard of Oz.
David Chase on Tony Soprano’s Fate, the State of TV, and Why He Couldn’t Finish ‘True Detective’
Marlow Stern
September 4, 2014
From ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ see the best films about hilarious (and sometimes unexpected) journeys.
10 Greatest Road Trip Movies
Marina Watts
May 21, 2014

Historical Examples of wizard

In Renfrew he was regarded as a kind of wizard, and he is said to have emigrated to Virginia, where he died.
Heroes of the Telegraph
J. Munro
"And your handkerchief is just as pretty as ever," said the Wizard, returning it to Gertie.
Harper's Young People, August 17, 1880
Various
For some time longer the Wizard made tatting in silence; then once again he spoke.
Prince Vance
Eleanor Putnam
The Wizard here lowered his voice mysteriously and bent toward Vance.
Prince Vance
Eleanor Putnam
He was extremely anxious not to say anything to make the Wizard angry.
Prince Vance
Eleanor Putnam

British Dictionary definitions for wizard

wizard

noun

a male witch or a man who practises or professes to practise magic or sorcery
a person who is outstandingly clever in some specified field; expert
obsolete a wise man
computing a computer program that guides a user through a complex task

adjective

informal, mainly British superb; outstanding
of or relating to a wizard or wizardry

Derived Formswizardly, adjective

Word Origin for wizard

C15: variant of wissard, from wise 1 + -ard

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

Word Origin and History for wizard

mid-15c., "philosopher, sage," from Middle English wys "wise" (see wise (adj.)) + -ard. Cf. Lithuanian zynyste "magic," zynys "sorcerer," zyne "witch," all from zinoti "to know." The ground sense is perhaps "to know the future." The meaning "one with magical power" did not emerge distinctly until c.1550, the distinction between philosophy and magic being blurred in the Middle Ages. As a slang word meaning "excellent" it is recorded from 1922.