Wiseacre: meaning, definitions and examples

The term 'wiseacre' originated in the 16th century, deriving from the Middle Dutch word 'wijshec', which means 'wise' or 'learned'. The term has originally been used to describe someone who claimed wisdom but often lacked genuine understanding. Over the years, the connotation of the word shifted from just denoting a wise individual to one who exhibits pretentiousness or sarcasm in their wisdom. It became commonly used in English to refer to individuals who, by virtue of their attitude or remarks, appear to overestimate their intelligence or knowledge, particularly in informal settings. Today, a wiseacre is often characterized by a humorous yet annoying demeanor, acting as if they possess superior wisdom even when they do not.

Ranking #39,763, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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