VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

wizard

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈwɪzəd/
US/ˈwɪzɚd/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A man in stories who can use magic, often old and wise and carrying a staff.

    Grammar: Takes a plural: the wizards of the old tales.

    Patterns

    • a wizard of something
    • a wizard who does something

    The wizard waved his staff and the bridge appeared.

    Children love stories about wizards and dragons.

    An old wizard lived at the top of the tower.

  2. nouncountableinformalfigurative

    A person who is amazingly skilled at something.

    Grammar: Often followed by with or at: a wizard with numbers.

    Patterns

    • a wizard at something
    • a wizard with something

    My uncle is a wizard with a camera.

    She's a financial wizard who saved the firm.

    He is a wizard at fixing old engines.

  3. nouncountablecomputing

    A program that guides a computer user step by step through a task such as setting up software.

    Grammar: Usually used in computing: an installation wizard.

    Patterns

    • a setup wizard
    • follow the wizard

    The installation wizard asks you to choose a folder.

    Follow the setup wizard to connect your printer.

Word forms

pluralwizards

Common combinations

evil wizard
The evil wizard cast a spell on the village.
financial wizard
He is known as a financial wizard in the city.
wizard with numbers
My sister is a wizard with numbers.
setup wizard
Run the setup wizard to configure the app.
kitchen wizard
Grandma is a real kitchen wizard.

Synonyms and how they differ

sorcerer
Sorcerer suggests darker, more powerful magic, whereas wizard can be kindly and wise.
magician
A magician may only do stage tricks, while a wizard has real magic in stories.
expert
Expert is neutral and serious, while wizard adds a playful tone of admiration.
whiz
Whiz is shorter and informal, and is often used for young or quick talent, such as a math whiz.

Opposites

novicebeginner

Word family

wizardry noun
magic, or great skill that seems like magic
wizardly adjective
like a wizard
witch noun
a woman with magical powers in stories
warlock noun
a male witch or wizard

Commonly confused: wizard or whiz?

wizard vs whiz

A whiz (or whizz) is a very clever, quick person or a quick buzzing sound; it is not the same as wizard, though they are often used for talented people.

Practice

'My brother is a wizard with computers.' What does 'wizard' mean here?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “wizard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words