HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

wise¹

(wīz)

adj. wis·er, wis·est

1. Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious: a wise leader.

a. Exhibiting common sense; prudent: a wise decision.

b. Shrewd; crafty: made a wise move selling the house when he did.

3. Provided with information; informed. Often used with to: I'm wise to your tricks. We were none the wiser after reading the report.

4. Slang Rude and disrespectful; impudent.

Phrasal Verb:

wise up Slang

To make or become aware, informed, or sophisticated.

[Middle English, from Old English wīs; see weid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

wisely adv.

wiseness n.

wise²

(wīz)

Method or manner of doing; way: in no wise; in any wise.

[Middle English, from Old English wīse; see weid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

-wise

suff.

1. In a specified manner, direction, or position: clockwise.

2. With reference to; in regard to: profitwise.

[Middle English, from Old English -wīsan, from -wīse, manner; see WISE².]

Usage Note: The suffix -wise has a long history of use to mean "in the manner or direction of," as in clockwise, otherwise, and slantwise. Since the 1930s, however, the suffix has been widely used in the vaguer sense of "with respect to," as in This has not been a good year saleswise. Taxwise, it is an unattractive arrangement. Since their introduction, these usages have been associated with informal prose, and they are still considered by many to be awkward. For this reason, they might best be avoided, especially in formal writing. The most obvious alternative is to use paraphrases, as in This has not been a good year with respect to sales. As far as taxes are concerned, it is an unattractive arrangement.

Wise

(wīz), Stephen Samuel 1874-1949.

Hungarian-born American religious leader who was an ardent Zionist and founded the World Jewish Congress (1936).

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products