wise

1
[ wahyz ]
/ waɪz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR wise ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, wis·er, wis·est.

verb (used with object), wised, wis·ing.

Slang. to make wise or aware: I'll wise you, kid.

Verb Phrases

wise up, Slang. to make or become aware of a secret or generally unknown fact, situation, attitude, etc.: They wised him up on how to please the boss. She never wised up to the fact that the joke was on her.

Idioms for wise

Origin of wise

1
before 900; Middle English (adj.), Old English wīs; cognate with Dutch wijs, German weise, Old Norse vīss, Gothic -weis; akin to wit1

OTHER WORDS FROM wise

wise·ly, adverb

Words nearby wise

wisdom of jesus, son of sirach, wisdom of jesus, the son of sirach, wisdom of solomon, wisdom teeth, wisdom tooth, wise, wise guy, wise men, wise up, wise up to, wise-ass

Definition for wise (2 of 5)

wise 2
[ wahyz ]
/ waɪz /

noun

way of proceeding or considering; manner; fashion (usually used in combination or in certain phrases): otherwise; in any wise; in no wise.

Origin of wise

2
before 900; Middle English, Old English: way, manner; melody (OE); cognate with Dutch wijze, German Weise manner, melody, Old Norse vīsa short poem, Danish vise ballad; akin to Greek eîdos form, shape

Definition for wise (3 of 5)

wise 3
[ wahyz ]
/ waɪz /

verb (used with object), wised, wis·ing.

Chiefly Scot.
  1. to instruct.
  2. to induce or advise.
  3. to show the way to; guide.
Scot. to direct the course of; cause to turn.

Origin of wise

3
before 900; Middle English wisen, Old English wīsian to show the way, guide, direct, akin to wīs wise1; cognate with Old High German wīsan, Old Norse vīsa

Definition for wise (4 of 5)

Wise
[ wahyz ]
/ waɪz /

noun

Isaac May·er [mahy-er] /ˈmaɪ ər/,1819–1900, U.S. rabbi and educator, born in Bohemia: founder of Reform Judaism in the U.S.
Stephen Samuel,1874–1949, U.S. rabbi, theologian, and Zionist leader; born in Hungary.

Definition for wise (5 of 5)

-wise

a suffixal use of wise2 in adverbs denoting manner, position, direction, reference, etc.: counterclockwise; edgewise; marketwise; timewise.
Compare -ways.

usage note for -wise

The suffix -wise is old in the language in adverbs referring to manner, direction, etc.: crosswise; lengthwise. Coinages like marketwise, saleswise, and weatherwise are often criticized, perhaps because of their association with the media: Otherwise—or moneywise, as they were already saying in the motion-picture industry—Hollywood was at the crest of its supercolossal glory. This suffix should not be confused with the adjective wise1 , which appears in such compound words as streetwise and worldly-wise.

Words related to wise

sensible, experienced, careful, wary, knowledgeable, educated, informed, shrewd, aware, thoughtful, perceptive, sane, astute, rational, judicious, enlightened, prudent, well-informed, smart, sound

Example sentences from the Web for wise

British Dictionary definitions for wise (1 of 3)

wise 1
/ (waɪz) /

adjective

verb

See wise up

Derived forms of wise

wisely, adverb wiseness, noun

Word Origin for wise

Old English wīs; related to Old Norse vīss, Gothic weis, German weise

British Dictionary definitions for wise (2 of 3)

wise 2
/ (waɪz) /

noun

archaic way, manner, fashion, or respect (esp in the phrases any wise, in no wise)

Word Origin for wise

Old English wīse manner; related to Old Saxon wīsa, German Weise, Old Norse vīsa verse, Latin vīsus face

British Dictionary definitions for wise (3 of 3)

-wise

adv combining form

Also: -ways indicating direction or manner clockwise; likewise
with reference to profitwise; businesswise

Word Origin for -wise

Old English -wisan; see wise ²

Idioms and Phrases with wise

wise