wise Hear it!

wise¹ Definition

wise (wīz)

adjective wis′er, wis′·est

  1. having or showing good judgment; sagacious; prudent
  2. prompted by wisdom; judicious; sound a wise saying, wise action
  3. having information; informed none the wiser
  4. learned; erudite
  5. shrewd; crafty; cunning
  6. Now Dial. having knowledge of black magic, etc.
  7. ☆ Slang
    1. annoyingly self-assured, knowing, conceited, etc.
    2. impudent; fresh

Etymology: ME wis < OE, akin to witan, to know, OHG wis, MDu wijs < PGmc *wisa-, wise < IE *weid- < base *w(e)di-, to see, know > Sans vēdas, knowledge, Gr idris, knowing, L videre, to see

wise¹ Related Forms

wise′ly adverb

wise¹ Idioms

be (or get) wise to

☆

Slang to be (or become) aware of; have (or attain) a proper understanding of

get wise

☆ Slang
  1. to become aware of the true facts or circumstances
  2. to become impudent

put someone wise (to)

☆

Slang to give someone information, an explanation, etc. (about); enlighten someone (concerning)

wise up

☆

Slang to make or become informed, insightful, etc.

wise² Definition

wise (wīz)

noun

way; manner: used chiefly in such phrases as in no wise and in this wise

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger weise (orig. sense prob. “appearance”): for IE base see wise

wise³ Definition

wise (wīz)

transitive verb wised, wis′·ing

  1. to direct or guide
  2. to convey or conduct

Etymology: ME wisen < OE wisian, akin to ON visa, Goth (fulla-)weisjan, OHG wisen < base of wise

Wise Definition

Wise (wīz)

  1. Wise, Stephen Samuel 1874-1949; U.S. rabbi & Jewish leader, born in Hungary

  2. Wise, Thomas James 1859-1937; Eng. bibliophile, editor, & forger

wise Synonyms

wise

modif.

  1. Judicious

    clever, sagacious, perceptive, understanding; see rational 1, thoughtful 1.

  2. Shrewd

    calculating, cunning, crafty; see sly 1.

  3. Prudent

    tactful, sensible, wary; see careful, discreet.

  4. Erudite

    knowledgeable, scholarly, smart; see educated 1, learned 1.

  5. *Impudent

    bold, forward, offensive, cocky*, smart*; see also rude 2.

wise Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • consult: This is probable but it is wise to consult a tax adviser on such financial issues.
  • remember: The numbers of cases are low, but it is wise to remember that carelessness could result in one of these painful conditions.
  • check: It would be wise to check the web version in case details change!
  • invest: Business leaders may expect things to muddle along but 2003 may be a time for the wise to invest.
  • avoid: It is probably wise to avoid driving for at least four weeks; insurance companies may be unhappy should a problem arise earlier.
  • assume: In very high threat environments, it is wise to assume that unevaluated software does contain Trojan horses.

Modifying Another Word

  • worldly: Maddie would like to think of herself as worldly wise and independent but she does have a softer side which emerges every so often.
  • politically: April 20, 1778 Robin Hood ' Whether it would be politically wise to declare war against France, without first declaring America independent?
  • truly: In fact if he is truly wise he will understand that it is good for him to have enemies.

Preposition: unto

salvation: The " sacred writings are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Modifies a noun

  • counsel: I, in particular, will miss her wise counsel.
  • man: Lydia You'll meet the wisest men in the world.
  • precaution: Everyone agreed this was the best place for it and probably a wise safety precaution.
  • saying: Proverbs This is a collection of wise sayings, or proverbs.
  • boilies: Bait wise, boilies are by far the best bait with all the leading makes and flavors working on the day.
  • stewardship: The wise stewardship of environmental resources is a key issue facing us in the 21st Century.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: It seems wise to continue to refer in this discussion to specific texts rather than simply to groups of texts.
  • grow: They will be at the heart of an extended learning community as we seek as a church to grow wiser in our missionary practice.
  • become: Yet, almost paradoxically, failure is also part of becoming wise.
  • appear: However, I imagined that I was in a tight place, and it appeared wisest to leave the stuff alone.