Wiseacre - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A wiseacre is a person who pretends to be clever or knowledgeable, often in a smug or annoying way. The term is used to describe someone who shows off their wit sarcastically or condescendingly.
Definition:
A person who pretends to be knowledgeable or clever in a smug or irritating way.
Synonyms:
know-it-all, smart aleck, wise guy
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
humble person, ignoramus
Common Collocations:
smug wiseacre, annoying wiseacre, self-proclaimed wiseacre
Derivatives:
wiseacres, wiseacring
Usage Tips:
Use "wiseacre" to describe someone who acts overly clever or sarcastic, often irritating others with their know-it-all attitude.
Common Phrases:
know-it-all wiseacre, sarcastic wiseacre, pompous wiseacre
Etymology:
Derived from Dutch "wijssegger" (soothsayer), altered to sound like "wise" + "acre," implying false wisdom.
Examples:
- 1. The wiseacre interrupted the meeting with unnecessary comments.
- 2. Nobody likes a wiseacre who always corrects others.
- 3. She rolled her eyes at the class wiseacre’s remark.
- 4. The wiseacre’s smug tone annoyed everyone in the room.