adverb
Uncommon
wisely
WYZ-lee
Wisely (adverb) means In a sensible, well-judged way. Example: “She wisely kept a copy of the contract before signing.”
adverb
1
In a sensible, well-judged way.
"She wisely kept a copy of the contract before signing."
"He wisely chose to say nothing until he had all the facts."
"They wisely left early to avoid the heavy traffic."
How to use wisely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something in a smart, sensible way.
Common pairings
wisely chose
act wisely
wisely decided
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Word forms
- Comparative
- wiselier, more wisely
- Superlative
- wiseliest, most wisely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ kept a copy of the contract before signing.
Etymology
From Old English wislice, built from wise plus the adverb ending -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wisely
See all rhymes for wisely →Frequently asked questions
What does “wisely” mean?
The word “wisely” means in a sensible, well-judged way. In plain terms, doing something in a smart, sensible way.
How do you pronounce “wisely”?
“Wisely” is pronounced WYZ-lee (/ˈwaɪzli/ in IPA).
How do you use “wisely” in a sentence?
Here is “wisely” used in a sentence: “She wisely kept a copy of the contract before signing.”
What part of speech is “wisely”?
“Wisely” is an adverb.
Where does the word “wisely” come from?
The word “wisely” comes from Old English. From Old English wislice, built from wise plus the adverb ending -ly.
Is “wisely” a common word?
“Wisely” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "wise" and "wisely"?
"Wise" is an adjective that describes a person or thing, as in "a wise decision," while "wisely" is an adverb that modifies a verb, describing how an action was performed, as in "she chose wisely." The core meaning of sensible, well-judged behavior stays the same across both forms.
When should you use "wisely" instead of "cleverly"?
"Wisely" emphasizes sound judgment and good sense, often involving foresight or caution, while "cleverly" emphasizes mental sharpness or ingenuity, which is not always linked to good judgment. A wisely made choice avoids risk, whereas a cleverly made choice may simply be smart or resourceful.
Where does "wisely" typically go in a sentence?
"Wisely" can appear before the verb it modifies, as in "he wisely declined," or at the start of a sentence to comment on the whole action, as in "wisely, they left early." Both placements are grammatically correct and common in English.
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