Meaning & Definition
adjective
lacking good sense or judgment; imprudent.
It was unwise to invest all his savings in a single stock.
not showing wisdom or thoughtfulness.
Choosing to drive without a seatbelt is unwise behavior.
not advisable; risky.
Her decision to quit her job without another one lined up was unwise.
foolish or lacking foresight.
Engaging in such reckless activities is unwise.
Etymology
The word 'unwise' is formed by adding the prefix 'un-' to the word 'wise', which comes from the Old English 'wis', meaning 'sensible' or 'knowledgeable'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
a foolish move:
An action that demonstrates a lack of wisdom.
bad decision:
A choice that is widely considered to be unwise.
not the brightest idea:
An expression indicating that something is unwise.
Slang Meanings
Not smart
Skipping class is pretty unwise; it's just not smart.
Dumb move
Investing in that failing company was a dumb move.