sage
sayj
Sage (adj) means Wise, especially through experience and good judgment. Example: “She offered some sage advice about handling difficult coworkers.”
adj
1
Wise, especially through experience and good judgment.
"She offered some sage advice about handling difficult coworkers."
"The old teacher gave sage guidance that I still remember years later."
"It was a sage decision to wait until the weather improved before setting off."
noun
1
A person widely respected for wisdom, especially an elder or philosopher.
"The villagers sought out the old sage whenever a dispute arose."
"People travelled from afar to ask the mountain sage for guidance."
"In the story, a wise sage tells the young prince to be patient."
2
An aromatic herb (Salvia officinalis) used in cooking, or related plants in the same genus.
"She added fresh sage and butter to the roasted squash."
"Sage grows well in a sunny pot on the kitchen windowsill."
"The stuffing smelled wonderful, thanks to the chopped sage and onion."
How to use sage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply wise (as an adjective or describing a wise person), or the gray-green cooking herb.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the herb sage with sagebrush, a different but related-looking desert shrub.
Common pairings
sage advice
sage counsel
fresh sage
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Word forms
- Plural
- sages
- Third person singular
- sages
- Past tense
- saged
- Comparative
- sager
- Superlative
- sagest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She offered some _____ advice about handling difficult coworkers.
Etymology
From Old French sage, ultimately from Latin sapere ("to taste, to be wise") — the same root behind "savvy" and "sapient."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sage
See all rhymes for sage →Frequently asked questions
What does “sage” mean?
The word “sage” means wise, especially through experience and good judgment. In plain terms, deeply wise (as an adjective or describing a wise person), or the gray-green cooking herb.
How do you pronounce “sage”?
“Sage” is pronounced sayj (/seɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sage” in a sentence?
Here is “sage” used in a sentence: “She offered some sage advice about handling difficult coworkers.”
What is another word for “sage”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sage” include loremaster, oracle, savant and philosopher.
What is the opposite of “sage”?
The opposite of “sage” — its antonyms — is fool.
What part of speech is “sage”?
Depending on how it is used, “sage” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “sage” come from?
The word “sage” comes from Latin. From Old French sage, ultimately from Latin sapere ("to taste, to be wise") — the same root behind "savvy" and "sapient.".
Is “sage” a common word?
“Sage” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between sage and wise?
Sage and wise both describe good judgment, but sage often carries a stronger sense of judgment earned through long experience, frequently associated with age or deep reflection. Wise is more general and can describe sound judgment at any stage of life.
Is sage the herb related to the word sage meaning wise?
The herb sage and the adjective sage meaning wise are generally treated as separate senses of the same word rather than as the same origin, though both have long histories in English. In everyday use, context makes clear whether someone means the plant used in cooking or the quality of wisdom.
What is sage used for in cooking?
Sage is an aromatic herb used in cooking to flavor dishes such as stuffing, roasted meats, and sauces. It comes from the plant Salvia officinalis or related species in the same genus.
