wise

[ wahyz ]

/ waɪz /

adjective, wis·er, wis·est.

having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.

characterized by or showing such power; judicious or prudent: a wise decision.

possessed of or characterized by scholarly knowledge or learning; learned; erudite: wise in the law.

having knowledge or information as to facts, circumstances, etc.: We are wiser for their explanations.

Slang. informed; in the know: You're wise, so why not give us the low-down?

Archaic. having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.

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

be/get wise to, Slang. to be or become cognizant of or no longer deceived by; catch on: to get wise to a fraud.

get wise, Slang.

to become informed.
to be or become presumptuous or impertinent: Don't get wise with me, young man!

put/set someone wise, Slang. to inform a person; let a person in on a secret or generally unknown fact: Some of the others put him wise to what was going on.

Origin of wise

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

SYNONYMS FOR wise

1, 2 sage, sensible, sagacious, intelligent.

ANTONYMS FOR wise

1, 2 foolish.

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

British Dictionary definitions for get wise (1 of 2)

wise ¹

/ (waɪz) /

adjective

possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment

prudent; sensible

shrewd; crafty a wise plan

well-informed; erudite

aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase none the wiser)

slang (postpositive often foll by to) in the know, esp possessing inside information (about)

archaic possessing powers of magic

slang, mainly US and Canadian cocksure or insolent

be wise or get wise (often foll by to) informal to be or become aware or informed (of something) or to face up (to facts)

put wise (often foll by to) slang to inform or warn (of)

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 get wise (2 of 2)

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

Idioms and Phrases with get wise

wise

In addition to the idioms beginning with wise

wise guy
wise up to

also see:

get wise to
none the wiser
penny wise and pound foolish
put wise
sadder but wiser
word to the wise

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

wise

adjective, wis·er, wis·est.

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

Verb Phrases

Idioms for wise

Origin of wise

SYNONYMS FOR wise

ANTONYMS FOR wise

OTHER WORDS FROM wise

Words nearby wise

British Dictionary definitions for get wise (1 of 2)

adjective

verb

Derived forms of wise

Word Origin for wise

British Dictionary definitions for get wise (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for wise

Idioms and Phrases with get wise

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

wise

adjective, wis·er, wis·est.

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

Verb Phrases

Idioms for wise

Origin of wise

SYNONYMS FOR wise

ANTONYMS FOR wise

OTHER WORDS FROM wise

Words nearby wise

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for get wise (1 of 2)

adjective

verb

Derived forms of wise

Word Origin for wise

British Dictionary definitions for get wise (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for wise

Idioms and Phrases with get wise

British Dictionary definitions for get wise (1 of 2)