Suffix · forms adverbs
Turns a word into an adverb of manner or direction: otherwise, likewise, clockwise. It is also used freely today to mean "in terms of X": money-wise, career-wise, weather-wise.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
-wise turns a word into an adverb meaning "in what way" or "in what sense". The most common fixed words: otherwise = in another way, or "if not" likewise = in the same way clockwise = in the direction the clock hands move counterclockwise = the opposite direction
In modern spoken and written English, you can attach -wise to almost any noun to mean "in terms of that": "Money-wise, we're doing fine." "Weather-wise, tomorrow looks good." "Career-wise, this is a smart move." This IS productive, unlike other suffixes: you can invent new combinations (time-wise, health-wise, work-wise) and they will sound natural.
"contrariwise" (on the contrary) and "nowise" (not at all) exist, but they are rare and old-fashioned. You will find them in older texts, not in conversation. To say the same thing today, use "on the contrary" and "not at all".
With these words, -wise is already a fixed word you need to learn:
street + wise = streetwise (savvy, street-smart) is a separate case: it does not mean "in terms of the street", it is a personality adjective. Learn it as its own word, not as part of either pattern.
-wise/waɪz/ · rhymes with prize
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
"otherwise" has two senses: in another way, and "if not, or else". The second is more common in modern English.
"Turn clockwise" (turn right, like clock hands). "Turn counterclockwise" (turn left). You use these directions every day: opening a jar, turning a dial.
Unlike money-wise/career-wise/weather-wise, streetwise does NOT follow the "in terms of" pattern. It's a personality adjective you learn as its own word.
A trick to remember it
Literally ask yourself "-wise about what?" as if it were a question: "money-wise?" = "in terms of money?" That same trick lets you invent the word you need on the spot: time-wise, health-wise, work-wise, all understood even if you have never seen them before.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Form the word
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
Which one sounds natural in modern English?
Exercise 4 · Pick the right one
"streetwise" means...
The suffix -wise turns a word into an adverb of manner or direction: otherwise, likewise, clockwise. It is also used freely today to mean "in terms of X": money-wise, career-wise, weather-wise. In Spanish it usually maps to -mente / en cuanto a.
The ending -wise is pronounced /waɪz/ · rhymes with prize. For example, "otherwise".
"other" becomes "otherwise". It is a typical example of the -wise suffix.
From Old English "-feald" (layer, fold): forms multipliers. Tenfold = ten times; manifold = multiple; twofold = double. Very common in journalism and formal prose.
Forms adjectives meaning "similar to X": dreamlike, lifelike, childlike (having a child's qualities, in a positive sense). It is fairly productive, you can attach it to almost any noun.
Turns a direction word into a direction adverb/adjective: inward, outward, forward. Works with almost any direction word, it is productive.
-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.