# wizard

/ˈwɪzɝd/ (US) · /wˈɪzəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wizard
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. magic user

noun · CEFR B1

a person, usually a man, who has magical powers.

For teachers: a practitioner of magic or sorcery, typically depicted in folklore and fantasy literature as male.

- The old wizard waved his wooden staff and the heavy stone door opened.
- In many high-fantasy novels, the wizard serves as a mentor figure, possessing arcane knowledge that the protagonist must eventually master.

### 2. an expert

noun · CEFR B2

someone who is very good at a specific activity or subject.

For teachers: an individual possessing exceptional skill, proficiency, or talent in a particular field.

- My brother is a math wizard and can solve difficult equations in seconds.
- The firm hired a financial wizard to restructure their debt and navigate the complex tax regulations of the new market.

### 3. software helper

noun · CEFR B2

a computer tool that leads you through a difficult task step by step.

For teachers: a software setup assistant that guides a user through a series of dialogue boxes to complete a complex configuration.

- Follow the installation wizard to set up your new printer.
- The software includes a configuration wizard that simplifies the process of connecting the database to the local network for non-technical users.

### 4. excellent

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Archaic · Slang

a very old-fashioned way to say something is great or excellent.

For teachers: an expression of high approval or excellence. This usage is highly dated and primarily associated with mid-20th-century British military slang.

- That was a wizard idea to bring a picnic to the park.
- The pilot remarked that it was a wizard show, using the characteristic slang of the era to praise the successful mission.

### 5. to use magic

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to perform magic or act like a wizard.

For teachers: to practice sorcery or perform actions associated with a wizard. Often used intransitively in fantasy contexts.

- The character spent his nights wizarding in the high tower.
- He spent years learning how to wizard effectively, though his spells often resulted in more smoke than actual transformation.

## Examples

- The setup wizard helps you install the new software.
- If you are not sure how to connect the printer, just follow the steps in the configuration wizard.
- While advanced users may prefer manual configuration, the installation wizard provides a streamlined path for the majority of customers to get the system running without errors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.