wise

noun

: manner, way

in any wise

Old age seemed in no wise to have dulled him, but to have sharpened …

—Herman Melville

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English wīse; akin to Old High German wīsa manner, Greek eidos form, idein to see — more at wit

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wise

• a word to the wise
• crack wise
• got wise to
• penny-wise
• penny-wise and/but pound-foolish
• put/make (someone) wise to
• weather-wise
• wise guy
• wise in the ways of
• wise man
• wise to
• worldly wise

Rhymes for wise

• ais
• ayes
• buys
• cries
• dies
• dries
• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize

Kids Definition

wise

1 of 4 noun

ˈwīz 

: manner sense 2b

—used in such phrases as in any wise, in no wise, in this wise

wise

2 of 4 adjective

wiser; wisest

1

: having or showing wisdom, good sense, or good judgment : sensible

a wise person

a wise investment

2

: having special or secret information : informed

I was wise to their plans

3

: boldly rude or disrespectful : impudent

wisely adverb

wise

3 of 4 verb

wised; wising

: to make or become informed or smart

—used with up

wise up if you want to get ahead

-wise

4 of 4 adverb combining form

ˌwīz

1

a

: in the manner of

b

: in the position or direction of

slantwise

clockwise

2

: with regard to : in respect of

Etymology

Old English wīse "way, manner"

Old English wīs "showing good judgment or intelligence"

derived from Old English wīse "manner"