wise
♦ wise /w'aɪz/ (wises wising wised wiser wisest)
1 [ADJ]
A wise person is able to use their experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions and judgments.
She has the air of a wise woman...
≠ foolish
● wisely [ADV] ADV with v
The three of us stood around the machine nodding wisely.
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
A wise action or decision is sensible.
She had made a very wise decision...
It is wise to seek help and counsel as soon as possible.
= sensible
● wisely [ADV] usu ADV with v
They've invested their money wisely...
Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get wise to something, you find out about it, especially when someone has been trying to keep it secret. (INFORMAL)
Dealers have already got wise to the trend and increased their prices accordingly.wise guy (wise guys)
also wiseguy
1 [N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a wise guy, you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. (INFORMAL)
= smart alec
2 [N-COUNT]
A wise guy is a member of the Mafia. (mainly AM INFORMAL)wise up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P to n, V P
If someone wises up to a situation or state of affairs, they become aware of it and take appropriate action. (INFORMAL)
Some insurers have wised up to the fact that their clients were getting very cheap insurance...
It's time to wise up and tell those around you that enough is enough.
1 [ADJ]
A wise person is able to use their experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions and judgments.
She has the air of a wise woman...
≠ foolish
● wisely [ADV] ADV with v
The three of us stood around the machine nodding wisely.
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
A wise action or decision is sensible.
She had made a very wise decision...
It is wise to seek help and counsel as soon as possible.
= sensible
● wisely [ADV] usu ADV with v
They've invested their money wisely...
Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get wise to something, you find out about it, especially when someone has been trying to keep it secret. (INFORMAL)
Dealers have already got wise to the trend and increased their prices accordingly.wise guy (wise guys)
also wiseguy
1 [N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a wise guy, you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. (INFORMAL)
= smart alec
2 [N-COUNT]
A wise guy is a member of the Mafia. (mainly AM INFORMAL)wise up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P to n, V P
If someone wises up to a situation or state of affairs, they become aware of it and take appropriate action. (INFORMAL)
Some insurers have wised up to the fact that their clients were getting very cheap insurance...
It's time to wise up and tell those around you that enough is enough.