Unwise Meaning
/ʌnˈwaɪz/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjNot wise; lacking wisdom
Sentence Examples
It may be unwise of you to advertise your presence.
I felt that the plan was unwise.
CEFR Practice Quiz
It would be ____ to invest all your savings in such a risky startup without any research.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It would be ____ to start the project without a proper plan, as it would likely lead to many problems later today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English unwis, from Old English unwīs (“unwise, foolish, ignorant, uninformed, insane”), equivalent to un- + wise. Cognate with Dutch onwijs (“unwise”), German unweise (“unwise”), Danish uvis (“unwise”), Swedish ovis (“unwise”), Icelandic óvís (“unwise”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"If the kind of network we envisage is to be established, it would be unwise to begin any of its services hurriedly with older stock, which, however admirable in its day, now has an air of faded Edwardian splendour that is out of joint with the times."
— 1962 December, “A new Pullman era?”, in Modern Railways, page 362:
"Their use was “impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law]^([sic]) does not allow it”, the decision explained."
— 2025 May 29, Kalyeena Makortoff, “US federal court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
It would be ____ to invest all your savings in such a risky startup without any research.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It would be ____ to start the project without a proper plan, as it would likely lead to many problems later today.