Wizened: meaning, definitions and examples
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wizened
[ ˈwɪz.ənd ]
age-related appearance
The term 'wizened' refers to someone who is noticeably aged and has shriveled or wrinkled skin. It's often used to describe a person whose youthful features have faded due to age, typically conveying a sense of wisdom or experience. This word paints a vivid picture of a figure marked by time, with a nod to their life experiences. While it often has a somewhat negative connotation, suggesting frailty, it can also imply a rich history of knowledge gathered over the years.
Synonyms
aged, frail, shriveled, weathered, wrinkled.
Examples of usage
- The wizened old man shared stories from his youth.
- She looked wizened after years of hardship.
- The wizened tree stood tall despite its gnarled branches.
- His wizened expression hinted at a lifetime of challenges.
Translations
Translations of the word "wizened" in other languages:
🇵🇹 encurvado
- enrugado
- murchado
🇮🇳 बुजुर्ग
- सूखा
- कुंद
🇩🇪 verknittert
- verdorrt
- abgedroschen
🇮🇩 keriput
- kekurangan
- tua
🇺🇦 сухий
- зморшкуватий
- старий
🇵🇱 pomarszczony
- wytarty
- stary
🇯🇵 しわくちゃの
- 老いた
- 枯れた
🇫🇷 ridé
- flétri
- vieux
🇪🇸 arrugado
- marchito
- viejo
🇹🇷 kırışmış
- solgun
- yaşlı
🇰🇷 주름진
- 노쇠한
- 시든
🇸🇦 مجعد
- ذابل
- عجوز
🇨🇿 zvrásněný
- ochablý
- stárnoucí
🇸🇰 zvrásnený
- ochabnutý
- starý
🇨🇳 皱缩的
- 干枯的
- 年老的
🇸🇮 nabrana
- suh
- star
🇮🇸 hrukkin
- eldra
- þurr
🇰🇿 жүрек
- картайған
- бұйра
🇬🇪 ახალი
- შეშლილი
- სიცოცხლე
🇦🇿 qırışmış
- quru
- yaşlı
🇲🇽 arrugado
- marchito
- viejo
Etymology
The word 'wizened' has its origins in the early 15th century, derived from the Middle English 'wisen,' which means to become wise or to grow. This root is linked to the Old English 'wīsan,' meaning to be wise or proficient. The transformation of the term over time implies not just the accumulation of wisdom but also the physical manifestations of age. The imagery accompanying 'wizened' often invokes the delicate balance between the sagacity gained through years and the inevitable physical decline associated with aging. Over the centuries, the word has maintained its place in English, often used in literature and conversation to describe characters who embody the wisdom and frailty that can accompany old age.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #30,344 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 30341 phosphatidylcholine
- 30342 swindlers
- 30343 pettiness
- 30344 wizened
- 30345 improvidence
- 30346 dredger
- 30347 hewing
- ...