Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “-wise” come from?

-wise (English) comes from Middle English -wise, from Old English -wīs — -wise.

-wise (English): in the direction or orientation of; in the manner...

Definitions

  1. in the direction or orientation of; in the manner...

Ancestry of “-wise”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle English-wise—
2Old English-wīs-wise

Words derived from “-wise”

  • gaseous
  • clockwise
  • lengthwise
  • stepwise
  • pairwise
  • counterclockwise
  • sidewise
  • piecewise
  • bitwise
  • contrariwise
  • anywise
  • anticlockwise
  • edgewise
  • coastwise
  • streetwise
  • streamwise
  • pointwise
  • endwise
  • slantwise
  • leastwise
  • spanwise
  • listwise
  • dropwise
  • fanwise
Every word from Old English -wīs →