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wise

wise

758 2.1
Showing good judgment from experience
  • adjective
  • /waɪz/
translation icon : sabio
  • And if so, how can we become wise beyond our years?
  • wise decisions
  • wise choices
  • wise counsel

That's this older, wiser, this guy who who?

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Examples

  • A common theme was that it wasn't wise to rock the boat.

    Academic text (2008)
  • We are reminded of the Eagle Clan Mother: the wise elder counsels respect for the earth.

    Academic text (1999)
  • How did you become so wise and know to do that?

  • I think she made a wise move.

  • The King of France is a very wise man.

  • I think it would be wise if you listened to your friend here.

  • Avishai, thank you so much for those wise and beautiful words.

  • No, I think that's wise on your part.

  • Before ordering the vaccine, it may be wise to calculate how much fridge space is needed.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The old man shared his many stories, hoping they would make the younger generation wise.

Synonyms

smart
vswise
1.9

Shows quick thinking and good understanding

is careful, experienced judgment rather than fast mental cleverness
savvy
vswise
  • Informal
114 4.4

Having practical knowledge and good judgment in a specific area

is general good judgment across situations rather than area expertise
intelligent
vswise
  • US
81 2.7

Showing good judgment and practical sense

is judgment formed from life experience rather than general reasoning ability
shrewd
vswise
50 4.7

Good at judging situations and making smart business decisions

is broader moral and experienced judgment, not mainly cleverness for gain
astute
vswise
40 6.9

Good at understanding a situation quickly and using it to get an advantage

is neutral experienced judgment rather than advantage seeking
worldly
vswise
28 5.8

Being experienced in life and with people

is about making sound judgments broadly rather than only practical social knowledge
judicious
vswise
12 6.3

Being careful and sensible when making decisions

is broader, showing general good judgment not limited to practical matters
well-advised
vswise
8 4.8

A careful sensible decision made after thinking and getting advice

is independent good judgment that may come from personal experience
sagacious
vswise
  • Formal
2 8.6

Being very wise and good at making decisions

is broader practical judgment developed through life experience
sapient
vswise
  • Formal
1 9.9

Showing deep wisdom and good sense about people and life

is everyday good judgment gained from experience rather than deep scholarship
sage
vswise
1 7.4

Showing deep wisdom often from age and experience

is general good judgment not tied specifically to age or age alone
Solomonic
vswise
  • Formal
1 9.9

Showing great wisdom and fairness when making a difficult decision

is good judgment from experience but not necessarily unusually fair or grand
worldly-wise
vswise
1 7.4

Experienced and careful about the practical side of life

is general good judgment across situations rather than only social shrewdness
knowing
vswise
3.5

Showing that you understand something well

is judgment formed from experience rather than just having understanding

Antonyms

505 1.3

Not showing good sense and making unwise choices

40 3.5

A bad idea that shows a person does not think carefully

Idioms

39 8.2

Aware of a secret or dishonest plan

Careful about small costs but careless with larger ones

Compounds

66 4.2

A man respected for good judgment who gives advice to others

wise guy
  • Offensive
43 7.4

A person who makes clever or rude jokes to seem smart

wise woman
  • Literature
8 7.4

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

3 4.6

Good advice from someone who has a lot of experience

Wise Men
  • Literature
3 6.0

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

1 3.7

An older person respected for their knowledge and good sense

1 7.4

Experienced and careful about the practical side of life

wise gal
  • Informal
1 8.8

A woman who is clever and gives useful advice

wise aleck
  • Offensive
8.1

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

wise aleck
  • Offensive
7.9

Being clever in a way that annoys others by sounding sarcastic

wise apple
  • Offensive
9.9

A person or remark that is clever but rude

How Wise

judicious
12 6.3
wise
758 2.1
sensible
201 2.7
reasonable
595 2.7

Surface Forms

wise positive
wiser comparative
wisest superlative

Etymology

Wise comes from an old English word meaning 'knowing' and is the same root as wisdom and wit. So a wise person is someone who 'knows' from experience and shows good judgment.