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wise

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The definition of wise is someone who uses good judgment, has common sense or is well informed.

(adjective)

An example of wise is Gandhi.

See wise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: 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

Related Forms:

wisely adverb

noun

way; manner: used chiefly in such phrases as and

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

transitive verb wised, wising

to direct or guide
to convey or conduct

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

Wise, Stephen Samuel 1874-1949; U.S. rabbi & Jewish leader, born in Hungary
Wise, Thomas James 1859-1937; Eng. bibliophile, editor, & forger

in a (specified) direction, position, or manner: lengthwise
in a manner characteristic of: clockwise
with regard to; in connection with: a revival of an earlier usage: budgetwise

Origin: < wise

See wise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective wis·er, wis·est

Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious: a wise leader.
a. Exhibiting common sense; prudent: a wise decision.
b. Shrewd; crafty.
Having great learning; erudite.
Provided with information; informed. Used with to: was wise to the politics of the department.
Slang Rude and disrespectful; impudent.

Phrasal Verb: wise up Slang To make or become aware, informed, or sophisticated.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English wīs; see weid- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

wiseˈly adverb

wiseˈness noun

noun

Method or manner of doing; way: in no wise; in any wise.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English wīse; see weid- in Indo-European roots

Hungarian-born American religious leader who was an ardent Zionist and founded the World Jewish Congress (1936).

suffix

In a specified manner, direction, or position: clockwise.
With reference to; in regard to: profitwise.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English -wīsan

Origin: , from -wīse, manner; see wise²

Usage Note: The suffix -wise has a long history of use to mean “in the manner or direction of,” as in clockwise, otherwise, and slantwise. Since the 1930s, however, the suffix has been widely used in the vaguer sense of “with respect to,” as in This has not been a good year saleswise. Taxwise, it is an unattractive arrangement. Since their introduction, these usages have been associated with informal prose, and they are still considered by many to be awkward. For this reason, they might best be avoided, especially in formal writing. The most obvious alternative is to use paraphrases, as in This has not been a good year with respect to sales. As far as taxes are concerned, it is an unattractive arrangement.

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