How to pronounce wiseacre
Say it like WY-zay-ker. Wiseacre has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wiseacre. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WY
- zay
- ker
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wiseacre pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- zayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of wiseacre
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WY-zay-kuh.
What does wiseacre mean?
- One who feigns knowledge or cleverness; one who is wisecracking; an insolent upstart.
- To act like a wiseacre; to wisecrack.
Where does wiseacre come from?
From Middle Dutch wijssegger (“soothsayer”), from Old High German wīzzago, wīzago (“wise man, prophet, soothsayer”), from Proto-West Germanic *wītagō (“wise one; prophet”).
Questions about saying wiseacre
How do you pronounce wiseacre?
Say WY-zay-ker. The American pronunciation is /ˈwaɪzeɪkər/. In British English it is /ˈwaɪzeɪkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wiseacre?
Wiseacre has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WY). Broken into parts: WY · zay · ker.
Is wiseacre pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈwaɪzeɪkə/ (WY-zay-kuh).