wiseacre

[ wahyz-ey-ker ]

noun

1. a person who possesses or affects to possess great wisdom.
2. wise guy.

wiseacre

/ ˈwaɪzˌeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who wishes to seem wise
2. a wise person: often used facetiously or contemptuously

Word History and Origins

Origin of wiseacre¹

1585–95; < Middle Dutch wijssager prophet, translation of Middle High German wīssage, late Old High German wīssago, by popular etymology equivalent to wīs wise + sago sayer, from earlier wīzzago wise person; cognate with Old English wītega, akin to wit ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of wiseacre¹

C16: from Middle Dutch wijsseggher soothsayer; related to Old High German wīssaga, German Weissager. See wise ¹, say

Example Sentences

“Hey,” said one wiseacre, stepping into a gaggle of car people on the patio at the Mission Ranch.

From Los Angeles Times

Watching it now reveals an altogether different Fallon, more sarcastic wiseacre than chipper enthusiast.

From New York Times

While “my statue was the butt of wiseacres and witlings, I never in word, or thought, swerved from my principle,” he wrote.

From Washington Post

Insouciance goes a fairly long way in “Confess, Fletch,” which revives the wiseacre investigator once played by Chevy Chase and featured in a series of novels by Gregory Mcdonald.

From New York Times

You just know some wiseacre will be screaming “Get out of the hole!” the next time he putts.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• smart aleck
• wise guy