sage

USAGE SUMMARY

"sage" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can have several meanings, including "wise", "showing great experience, judgment, and wisdom" or being an aromatic herb used in cooking. Example sentence: The sage advice of the elder was invaluable to the young family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Sport

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never was there more tangible proof of the sad lack of a credible political satirist of Jon Stewart's ilk on UK TV than the desperate elevation of Brand to the position of social sage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lincolnshire sausages are some of the most famous in England, typified by their deep sage flavour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On any one day you could find a rich pumpkin soup with leek, cauliflower and sage, basmati rice with bitter puntarelle, courgette and marinated tofu, crunchy buckwheat smothered with a tangy hummus, seaweed risotto, and red cabbage flan.

The Guardian - Travel

Poly hasn't always been easy for Sage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

[phone], avillelongue.free.fr First, there is eternal Provence, the hillsides scented with wild herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender.

The Guardian - Travel

Too bad, however: Lawrence now consists of 300 greasy bacon strips, which start following Sparky around, dispensing sage advice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At Laura's Spice Farm we watched humming birds dart among the more recognisable sage, thyme, basil and aloe vera, but also the wonderfully named Jump Up and Kiss Me.

The Guardian - Travel

I nodded at this sage advice, and booked our flights there immediately, because, despite all those warnings, I had seen some really nice pictures of it on Instagram.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Related: Roald Dahl becomes sage of US measles outbreak Its title riffs on George's Marvellous Medicine by the author Roald Dahl, who himself extolled the virtues of vaccination, after his seven-year-old daughter Olivia died from measles encephalitis.

The Guardian - Books

Elsewhere, there is the chance of a genuine outsider taking the play-off spot in Group E. If Iceland can force a result in Norway, a youthful team managed by sage old Swede, Lars Lagerback, are on the verge of writing a wonderful chapter in what has been a pretty thin Icelandic football almanac.

The Guardian - Sport

The seedheads turn brown in late summer and provide food for birds Perovskia, Russian sage, is a sub-shrub that creates a haze of soft purple-blue over silver-grey leaves and associates well with grasses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the herb "sage", be specific when there might be confusion with the adjective or a person's name. For example, "the aroma of sage filled the kitchen".

Common error

While "sage" is a strong adjective, overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious. Consider using synonyms like "wise", "knowledgeable", or "astute" to add variety and maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "sage" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something or someone wise. It also serves as a noun referring to a wise individual or a type of herb. As Ludwig AI confirms, "sage" is a correct and usable word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Books

10%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sage" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, primarily used to denote wisdom, or to refer to the herb. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English. It functions as both an adjective and a noun, appearing frequently in news, lifestyle and travel content. While generally neutral in register, avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact in your writing. Consider synonyms like "wise", "knowledgeable", or "astute" for variety. As highlighted by Ludwig, "sage" advice can be invaluable, but ensure its usage aligns with the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sagacious thinker

Highlights deep and insightful thinking.

wise person

Replaces "sage" as a noun referring to someone with great wisdom.

insightful expert

Highlights specialized knowledge and the ability to understand complex situations.

knowledgeable individual

Emphasizes the aspect of possessing extensive knowledge.

learned scholar

Emphasizes academic knowledge and expertise.

experienced advisor

Highlights the role of providing guidance based on experience.

judicious authority

Focuses on someone with sound judgment and recognized expertise.

astute mentor

Focuses on someone sharp and insightful who guides others.

enlightened guide

Suggests someone who provides spiritual or moral direction.

prudent counselor

Stresses the quality of being careful and sensible in giving advice.

FAQs

How can "sage" be used in a sentence?

The word "sage" can be used as a noun to describe a wise person, as an adjective to describe something wise, or to refer to the herb. Example: "The "sage advice" of the elder helped them make a good choice."

What are synonyms for "sage"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "sage" include "wise", "prudent", "astute", "sagacious", and "knowledgeable" when referring to someone or something displaying wisdom, or various related names of herbs.

When is it appropriate to use "sage"?

Use "sage" when you want to convey a sense of deep wisdom, experience, and good judgment. It is suitable for describing people, advice, or actions that reflect these qualities.

Is it correct to use "sage" to describe inanimate objects?

Yes, but sparingly. It's often used metaphorically, such as "sage advice", where the advice isn't literally a person, but possesses qualities of wisdom. However, avoid overusing it in such contexts.