wise guy

noun

ˈwīz-ˌgī 

1

: smart aleck

2

usually wiseguy

ˈwīz-ˌgī 

: mobster

Synonyms of wise guy

• smart aleck
• wiseacre

Examples of wise guy in a Sentence

Quit being a wise guy.

No more wise-guy remarks, got it?

a movie about two wiseguys

Recent Examples on the Web

Chalfant plays Aunt Sister Donna of Compassionate Trinity, Chickie and Doreen’s paternal aunt, who is mean as spit and tougher than any wise guy on the block. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Here’s a look at what each team in the NFC North has done in free agency, and how the wise guys in Las Vegas currently rank the division. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Specifically, the four wise guys from the North End framed by the FBI for a murder in Chelsea back in 1965. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2026

The wise guys already view Denver suspiciously, casting them with the 12th-best odds to reach the Super Bowl next February. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wise guy

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

wise guy

noun

ˈwīz-ˌgī 

: smart aleck