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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | wis |
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wise1 S3
1 wise decisions and actions are sensible and based on good judgment [= sensible]
a wise precaution
decision/idea etc
it is wise to do something It's wise to check whether the flight times have changed before you leave for the airport.
It's wise to check whether the flight times have changed before you leave for the airport.a wise precaution2 someone who is wise makes good decisions, gives good advice etc, especially because they have a lot of experience of life : a wise old man
person
a wise old man3
be none the wiser/not be any the wiser
a) to not understand something even after it has been explained to you : Charlie explained how the system works, but I'm still none the wiser.
Charlie explained how the system works, but I'm still none the wiser.b) used for saying that no one will find out about something bad that someone has done : He could easily have taken the money and no one would have been any the wiser.
He could easily have taken the money and no one would have been any the wiser.4 to realize that someone is being dishonest : Teachers quickly get wise to students who are cheating.
get/be wise to somebody/something
informalTeachers quickly get wise to students who are cheating.➔ wise up
at wise25 an annoying person who thinks they know more than they really do : OK, wise guy, shut up and listen!
wise guy
informal especially American EnglishOK, wise guy, shut up and listen!6 to realize what you should have done in a situation after it has happened : It's easy to be wise after the event.
be wise after the event
It's easy to be wise after the event. —wisely adverb: Invest the money wisely. He nodded wisely.
➔ wisdomInvest the money wisely.He nodded wisely.➔ sadder but wiser
at sad (6)WORD FOCUS: intelligentWORD FOCUS: intelligent similar words: clever especially BrE/smart especially AmE good at learning or understanding things quickly
bright intelligent - used especially about young people
brilliant a brilliant scientist, writer, student, historian etc is extremely intelligent and does very good work
brainy informal very intelligent and good at studying
gifted a gifted child is extremely intelligent
wise a wise person has a lot of experience and knowledge, and can give good advice
cunning/crafty good at using your intelligence to trick people
intelligent people: genius someone who is extremely intelligent and has great ideas
intellectual someone who is well-educated and interested in art, science, or literature at a high level
intelligentsia a country's intellectuals, considered as a single group
➔ See also intelligent
