wizard
WIHZ-uhd
Wizard (noun) means In folklore and fantasy fiction, a man who practises magic; a sorcerer. Example: “In the tale, the wizard turned the frog into a handsome prince.”
noun
1
In folklore and fantasy fiction, a man who practises magic; a sorcerer.
"In the tale, the wizard turned the frog into a handsome prince."
"The old wizard raised his staff and the storm clouds parted."
"In the story, a young wizard learns to control his powers at a hidden school."
2
Someone with exceptional skill or knowledge in a particular field.
"My uncle is a wizard in the kitchen and can cook almost anything."
"She's a wizard with spreadsheets — she can build a working model in minutes."
"He was known around the office as a marketing wizard."
3
A step-by-step on-screen guide that walks a user through a complicated task.
"The installation wizard guides you through each screen until the program is ready."
"The setup wizard asks a few simple questions before installing the software."
"Follow the wizard to configure your new printer."
How to use wizard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who does magic in stories, or — in everyday use — someone brilliant at something, or a guided step-by-step helper in software.
Memory tip
If you see "wizard" in a computer program, it just means a friendly guide clicking you through several steps — nothing magical.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
setup wizard
a wizard at something
wave a wand like a wizard
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Word forms
- Plural
- wizards
- Third person singular
- wizards
- Past tense
- wizarded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the tale, the _____ turned the frog into a handsome prince.
Etymology
From Middle English wysard, built from wise plus the suffix -ard. It originally meant a wise person or sage, and only picked up its magical sense around the 1500s.
Class of 1500
wizard joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wizard
See all rhymes for wizard →Frequently asked questions
What does “wizard” mean?
The word “wizard” means in folklore and fantasy fiction, a man who practises magic; a sorcerer. In plain terms, someone who does magic in stories, or — in everyday use — someone brilliant at something, or a guided step-by-step helper in software.
How do you pronounce “wizard”?
“Wizard” is pronounced WIHZ-uhd (/ˈwɪz.ɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wizard” in a sentence?
Here is “wizard” used in a sentence: “The old wizard raised his staff and the storm clouds parted.”
What is another word for “wizard”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wizard” include witch, mage and sorcerer.
What part of speech is “wizard”?
“Wizard” is a noun.
Where does the word “wizard” come from?
The word “wizard” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Middle English. From Middle English wysard, built from wise plus the suffix -ard. It originally meant a wise person or sage, and only picked up its magical sense around the 1500s.
Is “wizard” a common word?
“Wizard” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “wizard” have?
“Wizard” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in folklore and fantasy fiction, a man who practises magic; a sorcerer.
What is the difference between a wizard and a witch?
Both a wizard and a witch are people who practise magic in folklore and fantasy. Traditionally 'wizard' refers to a male magic-user, while 'witch' most often refers to a female one, though 'witch' is sometimes applied to either.
What is the difference between a wizard and a sorcerer?
The two words are often used interchangeably for a practitioner of magic. In some fantasy fiction they are distinguished, with a wizard gaining power through study and learning and a sorcerer drawing on innate, inborn magical ability.
What is the difference between a wizard and a warlock?
A wizard is a general term for a male magic-user. 'Warlock' often carries a darker connotation, sometimes meaning a male witch or one who gains power through a pact, though usage varies between different fantasy settings.
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