wise answer

USAGE SUMMARY

'wise answer' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a thoughtful and well-considered response to a question. For example: "The student gave a wise answer to the teacher's difficult question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That seems a wise answer.

The Guardian

Berezovsky told him that this was a wise answer.

The Guardian

The standard worldly wise answer to this question is to answer no.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I suspect the wise answer may be to let it go after that, once we know – at £191m let's hope we do – what actually happened and why.

The Guardian

Inspirational quote: "A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"And he says to me, 'How do you sleep at night?' I told him, 'I'll take a sleeping pill.' They got the wise answers?

The New York Times

Referring to the part of Wise's confession in which he demonstrates how the other boys supposedly punched Meili, Lederer asks, "Did the police make you do what you did on the videotape, punching with both fists?" Wise answers: "Somehow".

The New York Times - Books

Here are the thought leader's wise answers to a few of Oprah's biggest questions -- about love, life... and the afterlife.

Huffington Post

Did he tell the Foreign Minister that there is no question of Spain being allowed to enter the European Community so long as the restrictions on the border continue against Gibraltarians and British citizens?" Telling McQuarrie that he was "rightly, continuously astute on this matter", Howe went on to make an emollient answer – a wise response whenever McQuarrie was on the warpath.

Independent

If you're a king in New York and you ask some peasant how to get to Carnegie Hall, you think he's going to crack wise and answer "practice"?

The New York Times

How long did it take you to write your biography of Groucho Marx? A. The wise guy answer is "all my life".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "wise answer", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the wisdom or insightfulness of the response. Provide enough background information to highlight why the answer is considered wise.

Common error

Avoid labeling an answer as "wise" simply because it is agreeable or convenient. A "wise answer" should demonstrate genuine insight, foresight, or understanding of a complex situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wise answer" functions as a noun phrase where 'wise' modifies 'answer', describing the quality of the answer. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. It describes a response that is intelligent, thoughtful, and demonstrates good judgement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

The Guardian

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wise answer" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to describe a thoughtful and well-considered response, often highlighting the intelligence and good judgment behind it. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and Huffington Post. Synonyms such as "sagacious response" or "astute response" can offer nuanced alternatives, while it's important to ensure the context truly warrants the label of "wise" to avoid overuse. The phrase finds its place in various contexts, predominately in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-considered reply

Focuses on the careful thought and deliberation behind the answer.

sagacious response

Indicates deep understanding and wisdom in the given answer.

thoughtful answer

Focuses on the consideration and depth of the response.

insightful reply

Stresses the revealing and penetrating nature of the answer.

enlightened response

Suggests a higher level of understanding and clarity in the answer.

astute response

Emphasizes cleverness and perceptiveness in the reply.

perceptive answer

Highlights the ability to notice and understand things quickly in the answer.

shrewd response

Implies practicality and sharpness in the answer.

prudent reply

Highlights carefulness and good judgment in the answer.

judicious answer

Highlights the balance and fairness in the response.

FAQs

How can I use "wise answer" in a sentence?

You can use "wise answer" to describe a response that demonstrates intelligence and good judgment. For example: "Her "well-considered reply" showed a deep understanding of the issue, making it a truly wise answer".

What is the difference between a "wise answer" and a "smart answer"?

A "smart answer" might be quick and clever, while a "wise answer" implies deeper understanding and good judgment. Wisdom involves applying knowledge effectively and thoughtfully, whereas smartness focuses on intelligence and quick-wittedness.

What are some synonyms for "wise answer"?

Alternatives to "wise answer" include "sagacious response", "astute response", "thoughtful answer", or "prudent reply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "wise answer" in formal writing?

Yes, "wise answer" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a well-considered and insightful response to a significant question or problem. However, ensure the context justifies the use of "wise" to avoid sounding pretentious.