adjective
B2
Upper-Intermediate
unwise
uhn-WYZ
Unwise (adjective) means not wise; showing poor judgment. Example: “It would be unwise to invest your entire savings in one stock.”
adjective
1
Not wise; showing poor judgment.
"It would be unwise to invest your entire savings in one stock."
"His unwise decision cost him the promotion."
How to use unwise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a decision or action that shows a lack of good judgment.
Common pairings
unwise decision
it would be unwise to
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Word forms
- Comparative
- unwiser
- Superlative
- unwisest
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It would be _____ to invest your entire savings in one stock.
Etymology
From Old English unwīs, from un- (\"not\") plus wise.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unwise
See all rhymes for unwise →Frequently asked questions
What does “unwise” mean?
The word “unwise” means not wise; showing poor judgment. In plain terms, describes a decision or action that shows a lack of good judgment.
How do you pronounce “unwise”?
“Unwise” is pronounced uhn-WYZ (/ʌnˈwaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “unwise” in a sentence?
Here is “unwise” used in a sentence: “It would be unwise to invest your entire savings in one stock.”
What is the opposite of “unwise”?
The opposite of “unwise” — its antonyms — is wise.
What part of speech is “unwise”?
“Unwise” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unwise” come from?
The word “unwise” comes from Old English. From Old English unwīs, from un- (\"not\") plus wise.
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