wizard

[ wiz-erd ]

/ ˈwɪz ərd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wizard ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who practices magic; magician or sorcerer.

a conjurer or juggler.

[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!

Nearby words

Origin of wizard

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

SYNONYMS FOR wizard

1. enchanter, necromancer, thaumaturge, diviner.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wizard ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formswiz·ard·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
“True; but you are yet a fool,” returned the wizard contemptuously.
Red Rooney|R.M. Ballantyne
Still more enraged by her unshaken defiance, the Wizard sprang upon her and grasped her wrists.
The Shadow Witch|Gertrude Crownfield
Toward the southwestern portion of the lake is Wizard Island, 845 feet high, circular in shape, and slightly covered with timber.
Oregon, Washington and Alaska; Sights and Scenes for the Tourist.|E. L. Lomax
"Then you'd better begin your journey at once," advised the Wizard.
The Patchwork Girl of Oz|L. Frank Baum
A wizard was understandable; but this was diabolism beyond sanity.
The Hour of the Dragon|Robert E. Howard

British Dictionary definitions for wizard

wizard

/ (ˈwɪzəd) /

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

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.