wise man

noun

1
: a man of unusual learning, judgment, or insight : sage
2
: a man versed in esoteric lore (as of magic or astrology)
especially : magus sense 1b

Examples of wise man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In fact, there's the trope of the old wise man, but not so much the old wise woman. Vicki Salemi, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 The holiday commemorates the Feast of the Epiphany and the Biblical story of the day the three wise men, or Magi, visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem and brought him gifts. Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2024 Usain Bolt once played the wise man, suggesting that Richardson focus less on trash-talking and more on improving her game. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2024 Pride before the fall; unrecognized love; Shakespearean irony; and a fool wiser than the wise men. The Week Us, theweek, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wise man 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wise man was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wise man

Cite this Entry

“Wise man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wise%20man. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Wiseman

biographical name

Wise·​man ˈwīz-mən How to pronounce Wiseman (audio)
Nicholas Patrick Stephen 1802–1865 English cardinal and author

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