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wise

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈwaɪz// UK //wˈaɪz// wise Archaic Dialect General-service Informal Slang

adj. having the knowledge and experience to make good decisions. You use this to describe someone who understands what is truly important in life.

adj. possessing or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgement. Often implies a deep understanding of human nature or long-term consequences rather than just intelligence.


SIMPLE

It is wise to save some money for the future.

CONTEXTUAL

She sought advice from a wise old mentor who had worked in the industry for forty years.

COMPLEX

The committee made a wise decision to delay the launch, prioritizing long-term brand stability over the immediate pressure of quarterly earnings reports.

Synonyms
Antonyms
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”).

Usage

Commonly used to describe people, decisions, or advice; often follows 'it is' to introduce a recommended action.

Pitfall

He is a very wisdom manHe is a very wise manLearners often confuse the adjective 'wise' with the noun 'wisdom'.

Idioms3 entries

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