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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.

wiseacre

/ˈwaɪzˌeɪkər/ /ˈwaɪzˌeɪkə/

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.

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