wiz

A wiz is someone who’s highly skilled or knowledgeable in a particular field or activity.

Wiz is an informal word. It’s a shortening of wizard, which can have the same meaning. It’s especially used in combination with the field that the person is skilled in, as in computer wiz or math wiz. The word whiz (or less commonly whizz) can be used to mean the same thing.

Example: My nephew is a real wiz with computers—I’d let him take a look at it.

The first records of wiz come from the early 1900s. It’s a shortening of wizard, which comes from the Middle English word wisard, meaning “one who is wise.” The words wise and wisdom are based on the same root.

The word wiz doesn’t imply wisdom so much as intelligence and skill. When you call someone a wiz at something, you mean that not only are they good at it, they make it look easy—as if they’re doing it by magic, like a wizard. When you say someone is a wiz in the kitchen, you mean they’re really good at cooking. Someone who’s known as a wiz is often called upon for their help, as in Kate’s a wiz at coding—you should ask her for help with your homework. The spelling whiz is also commonly used in this way. The similar term whiz kid refers to a young person who’s especially skilled and successful in a particular field.

What are some other forms related to wiz?

• whiz (noun)
• whizz (noun)

What are some synonyms for wiz?

• wizard
• ace
• virtuoso
• pro

What are some words that share a root or word element with wiz? 

• wise
• wisdom

What are some words that often get used in discussing wiz?

• skill
• talent
• ability
• smart
• adept
• genius
• math
• computer

Wiz is typically used in a positive way to talk about how good someone is at something, especially an activity or subject that other people find difficult.

i’m excited to show this new design… @SUPERLITDOM & i worked on this bad boy for a while.

he’s a wiz when it comes to graphics. 🧙‍♂️

— matt walden (@MattWaldenAC) April 3, 2018

Tom's preparing brunch. If you think I can cook, he's a wiz! However, when he's cooking, no one is allowed in the kitchen! *rolls eyeballs*

— Jenni Epperson (@jenniepperson) July 17, 2011

A big welcome to our panelist @adlupher! She's a wiz at family finances, life as a #milspouse, and being just plain awesome #FrugalCrew

— Amiyrah Tano – Profesh Padawan (@AmiyrahMartin) April 10, 2013

Which of the following words would NOT be used to refer to a person considered a wiz?

A. genius
B. amateur
C. ace
D. expert