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wise

adj. · v. · n.
US //ˈwaɪz// UK //wˈaɪz// wise
  1. 1 showing good judgment (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having or showing good judgment and the ability to make right decisions based on experience.

    possessing or exhibiting sound judgment and discernment, typically derived from experience and reflection.

    Example

    It was a wise decision to save some money for emergencies.

    Example

    The elder's wise counsel prevented the community from making a hasty decision that would have had long-term negative consequences.
  2. 2 disrespectful or rude (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    acting in a way that is rude or shows a lack of respect, often by trying to seem too clever.

    exhibiting an insolent or impudent attitude; often used in the phrase 'get wise with someone'.

    Example

    Don't get wise with me, or you will be in big trouble.

    Example

    The student's wise remarks during the lecture eventually exhausted the professor's patience, leading to a formal reprimand.
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  1. 3 aware of something (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    knowing about something, especially a secret or a trick.

    possessing knowledge or awareness of a particular fact or situation, often used with the preposition 'to'.

    Example

    The police were already wise to the gang's plan to rob the bank.

    Example

    By the time the marketing campaign launched, the public was already wise to the company's deceptive pricing strategies.

    Usage

    Commonly follows the pattern 'wise to [something]'.
  2. 4 to become informed (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Slang

    to learn the truth about a situation or to stop being tricked.

    to become aware of or informed about a situation, typically used in the phrasal verb 'wise up'.

    Example

    You need to wise up and realize that he is just using you.

    Example

    The administration finally wised up to the fact that their outdated software was causing significant security vulnerabilities.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used as the phrasal verb 'wise up'.
  3. 5 way or manner (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    the way or method of doing something.

    the manner, way, or respect in which something happens or is done.

    Example

    The story begins in this wise: a young man leaves his home to find adventure.

    Example

    The ancient chronicles describe the coronation in this wise, detailing every ritual performed by the high priests.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, this sense survives mainly in suffixes like 'clockwise' or 'otherwise' rather than as a standalone noun.
Etymology 1

From Middle English wis, wys, from Old English wīs (“wise”), from Proto-Germanic wīsaz (“wise”), from Proto-Indo-European weydstos, weydtos, a participle form of weyd-. Cognate with Dutch wijs, German weise, Norwegian vis and Swedish vis. Compare wit.

Etymology 2

From Middle English wise, from Old English wīse, from Proto-Germanic *wīsō. Cognate with Dutch wijze, German Weise, Norwegian vis, Swedish visa, vis, Italian guisa, Spanish guisa. Compare -wise. Doublet of guise.

Etymology 3

From Middle English wisen (“to advise, direct”), from Old English wisian (“to show the way, guide, direct”), from Proto-West Germanic wīsōn, from Proto-Germanic wīsōną (“to show the way, dispense knowledge”), from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“to know”). Compare Dutch wijzen (“to indicate, point out”), German weisen (“to show, indicate”), Danish and Norwegian Bokmål vise (“to show”), Norwegian Nynorsk visa (“to show”).

Idioms3 entries

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