wise

UK: /ˈwaɪz/ US: /waɪz/ ,(wīz)

Inflections of 'wise' (adj):

wiser

adj comparative

wisest

adj superlative

Inflections of 'wise' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

wises

v 3rd person singular

wising

v pres p

wised

v past

wised

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wise¹ /waɪz/   adj., wis•er, wis•est, v., wised, wis•ing. 
adj. 

1. having or showing understanding and good judgment:
   a wise decision.
   [t + be + ~ (+ of + object) + to + verb]
   It was not very wise of him to be rude.
2. having or showing deep knowledge or learning.

v. 

3. wise up, [Slang.] to (cause to) become aware* to (cause to) learn correct or right information: [no object]
   He finally wised up to what they were doing to him.
   [~ + object + up]
   They wised him up to what they were doing.

Idioms

4. Idioms be or get wise to, [Slang.] to be or become aware of;
   learn:
   He is wise to our plans.
5. Idioms get wise, [Slang.] to become presumptuous or impertinent.

wise•ly, adv. 
Related Words

wise is an adjective, wisdom is a noun, wisely is an adverb:
She is a wise shopper. She has a lot of wisdom for her age. They spent their money wisely.

wise² /waɪz/   n. 

[countable]
1. way;
   manner:
   In no wise is it true.

-wise, suffix. 

1. Pronouns -wise is used to form adjectives and adverbs with the meaning "in a particular manner, position, or direction'':
   clockwise (= moving in a direction like the hands of a clock).
2. -wise is also used to form adverbs with the meaning "with reference to'':
   Timewise we can finish the work, but qualitywise, I'm not so sure.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wise¹  (wīz), adj., wis•er, wis•est, v., wised, wis•ing. 
adj. 

1. having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right;
   possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.
2. characterized by or showing such power;
   judicious or prudent:
   a wise decision.
3. possessed of or characterized by scholarly knowledge or learning;
   learned;
   erudite:
   wise in the law.
4. having knowledge or information as to facts, circumstances, etc.:
   We are wiser for their explanations.
5. Slang Terms informed;
   in the know:
   You're wise, so why not give us the low-down?
6. [Archaic.] having knowledge of magic or witchcraft.
7. be or get wise to, [Slang.] to be or become cognizant of or no longer deceived by;
   catch on:
   to get wise to a fraud.
8. get wise, [Slang.]
   • to become informed.
   • to be or become presumptuous or impertinent:
     Don't get wise with me, young man!
9. put or set someone wise, Slang. to inform a person;
   let a person in on a secret or generally unknown fact:
   Some of the others put him wise to what was going on.

v.t. 

10. [Slang.] to make wise or aware:
    I'll wise you, kid.
11. wise up, [Slang.] to make or become aware of a secret or generally unknown fact, situation, attitude, etc.:
    They wised him up on how to please the boss. She never wised up to the fact that the joke was on her.

• bef. 900; Middle English (adjective, adjectival), Old English wīs; cognate with Dutch wijs, German weise, Old Norse vīss, Gothic -weis; akin to wit¹

wise′ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. sage, sensible, sagacious, intelligent.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. foolish.

wise²  (wīz), n. 

1. way of proceeding or considering;
   manner;
   fashion (usually used in combination or in certain phrases):
   otherwise;
   in any wise;
   in no wise.

• bef. 900; Middle English, Old English: way, manner; melody (Old English); cognate with Dutch wijze, German Weise manner, melody, Old Norse vīsa short poem, Danish vise ballad; akin to Greek eîdos form, shape

wise³  (wīz), v.t., wised, wis•ing. 

1. Scottish Terms [Chiefly Scot.]
   • to instruct.
   • to induce or advise.
   • to show the way to;
     guide.
2. Scottish Terms to direct the course of;
   cause to turn.

• bef. 900; Middle English wisen, Old English wīsian to show the way, guide, direct, akin to wīs wise¹; cognate with Old High German wīsan, Old Norse vīsa

Wise  (wīz), n. 

Isaac May•er  (mī′ər), 1819–1900, U.S. rabbi and educator, born in Bohemia: founder of Reform Judaism in the U.S.
1. Biographical Stephen Samuel, 1874–1949, U.S. rabbi, theologian, and Zionist leader;
   born in Hungary.

-wise, 

1. Pronouns a suffixal use of wise ² in adverbs denoting manner, position, direction, reference, etc.:
   counterclockwise;
   marketwise;
   timewise.
   Cf. -ways. 

Usage

The suffix -wise is old in the language in adverbs referring to manner, direction, etc.:
crosswise; lengthwise.
Coinages like marketwise, saleswise, and weatherwise are often criticized, perhaps because of their association with the media:
Otherwise--or moneywise, as they were already saying in the motion-picture industry--Hollywood was at the crest of its supercolossal glory.
This suffix should not be confused with the adjective wise¹, which appears in such compound words as streetwise and worldly-wise.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wise / waɪz/ adjective

1. possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment
2. prudent; sensible
3. shrewd; crafty: a wise plan
4. well-informed; erudite
5. aware, informed, or knowing (esp in the phrase none the wiser)
6. (postpositive) often followed by to: in the know, esp possessing inside information (about)
7. possessing powers of magic
8. be wise, get wise ⇒ (often followed by to) to be or become aware or informed (of something) or to face up (to facts)
9. put wise ⇒ (often followed by to) to inform or warn (of)

verb

1. See wise up

Etymology: Old English wīs; related to Old Norse vīss, Gothic weis, German weise

ˈwisely adverb

ˈwiseness noun

wise / waɪz/ noun

1. way, manner, fashion, or respect (esp in the phrases any wise, in no wise)

Etymology: Old English wīse manner; related to Old Saxon wīsa, German Weise, Old Norse vīsa verse, Latin vīsus face

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

-wise combining_form:in_adverb

1. Also: -ways indicating direction or manner: clockwise, likewise
2. with reference to: profitwise, businesswise

Etymology: Old English -wisan; see wise²