wise guy

SEE SYNONYMS FOR wise guy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Informal. a cocksure, conceited, and often insolent person; smart aleck: He has a reputation for being a wise guy.
Also called wiseacre.

Origin of wise guy

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

OTHER WORDS FROM wise guy

wise-guy, adjective

Words nearby wise guy

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, wiseacre

Words related to wise guy

crook, hoodlum, know-it-all, mobster, bigmouth, criminal, hood, smarty-pants, mafioso, wiseacre, wiseass, wisenheimer

British Dictionary definitions for wise guy

wise guy

noun

informal a person who is given to making conceited, sardonic, or insolent comments
US a member of the Mafia

Idioms and Phrases with wise guy

wise guy

An obnoxious know-it-all, a person who makes sarcastic or annoying remarks, as in the teacher was delighted that the worst wise guy in the class was moving out of town. [Slang; second half of 1800s] Also see smart aleck.