wise

Examples

• All

• -Just get moving, wise guy.

  Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

• Don't be a wise guy.

  Lock Up (1989)

• Told you this one's a wise ass.

  Animal Factory (2000)

• - Always a wise guy.

  F/X (1986)

• I had no idea what I meant by that beyond being a wise guy.

  Fiction book (1995)

• If you're gonna act like a wise guy, I will treat you as such," he said.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "Honestly, George, I'm surprised at that kind of wise-guy stuff coming from you."

  Fiction book (1993)

• All right, wise guy.

  Detroit Rock City (1999)

• Okay, wise guy.

  Shallow Hal (2001)

• Don't be such a wise guy; it won't end well for you.

Synonyms

S

smart

vswise

• Offensive

110 6.1

Rude and cheeky in what someone says

is informal cheekiness toward authority rather than just a sharp remark

S

sassy

vswise

• Informal

53 7.2

Being bold and lively in a rude or cheeky way

is rougher disrespect toward authority rather than lively playful boldness

S

saucy

vswise

• Informal

22 5.8

Being playful and a little rude in a way that teases people

is stronger disrespect toward authority rather than mild playful teasing

F

fresh

vswise

• Offensive

13 7.5

Rude and disrespectful to someone in authority

is informal cheekiness aimed at authority rather than general rudeness

I

impertinent

vswise

13 7.2

Rude or too bold toward someone, sometimes playful

is more informal and focused on cheekiness toward authority rather than formality

I

impudent

vswise

10 7.9

Someone who shows no respect by acting or speaking boldly

is similar but used more informally and toward figures of authority

L

lippy

vswise

• Offensive

2 8.7

Rude or cheeky when talking back to people in charge

is informal cheekiness toward authority rather than only verbal reply

O

overbold

vswise

1 7.0

Too confident in a way that seems rude

is cheeky toward authority in an informal way rather than merely excessive boldness

Antonyms

R

respectful

146 1.1

Being polite and showing admiration for someone

S

submissive

39 5.1

Willing to obey others and not argue

Idioms

W

wise to

12 8.2

Aware of a secret or dishonest plan

P

penny wise and pound foolish

• Informal

1 8.6

Careful about small costs but careless with larger ones

Compounds

W

wise man

68 4.2

A man respected for good judgment who gives advice to others

W

wise guy

• Offensive

38 7.4

A person who makes clever or rude jokes to seem smart

W

Wise Men

• Literature

10 6.0

Men from the Bible who visited baby Jesus and gave gifts after following a star

W

wise woman

• Literature

8 7.4

A woman who knows a lot about people and herbs and people trust for advice

W

wise counsel

4 4.6

Good advice from someone who has a lot of experience

W

worldly-wise

2 7.4

Experienced and careful about the practical side of life

W

wise elder

1 3.7

An older person respected for their knowledge and good sense

W

wise gal

• Informal

1 8.8

A woman who is clever and gives useful advice

W

wise apple

• Offensive

1 9.9

A person or remark that is clever but rude

W

wise aleck

• Offensive

1 8.1

A person who annoys others by acting like they know everything and making sarcastic remarks

W

wise aleck

• Offensive

7.9

Being clever in a way that annoys others by sounding sarcastic

How Cheeky

insolent

21 7.1

cheeky

• Informal

32 4.8

wise

• Informal

98 8.4

playful

72 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology