Question

worldly-wise adjective "Worldly-wise" is one of a handful of compound adjectives formed from the word "wise" ("having wisdom or knowledge"). "Penny-wise" (from the phrase "penny-wise and pound-foolish") is a good word for describing someone who is good with only small sums or matters. "Weather-wise" can describe a competent meteorologist or someone who is competent in a different kind of forecasting: that of changes in opinion or feeling. These adjectives aren't especially common, but they do see occasional use. Even less common is "air-wise," which can be applied to people skilled in aviation. And if you master these words and feel the wiser for it, you may consider yourself "self-wise"-that is, wise in your own estimation. : possessing a practical and often shrewd understanding of human affairs

Accepted Answer

October 18, 2012 WERLD-lee-wyze The interns' supervisor addressed the group, saying "We don't expect our interns to be worldly-wise-we expect them to be conscientious, hardworking, and committed to learning how work in a small non-profit is done."   "His supposed ruthlessness is the perfect antidote to that greatest of sins for the worldly-wise-naïveté." - From Miles J. Unger's 2011 book Machiavelli: A Biography

Word	worldly-wise
Date	October 18, 2012
Type	adjective
Syllables	WERLD-lee-wyze
Etymology	"Worldly-wise" is one of a handful of compound adjectives formed from the word "wise" ("having wisdom or knowledge"). "Penny-wise" (from the phrase "penny-wise and pound-foolish") is a good word for describing someone who is good with only small sums or matters. "Weather-wise" can describe a competent meteorologist or someone who is competent in a different kind of forecasting: that of changes in opinion or feeling. These adjectives aren't especially common, but they do see occasional use. Even less common is "air-wise," which can be applied to people skilled in aviation. And if you master these words and feel the wiser for it, you may consider yourself "self-wise"-that is, wise in your own estimation.
Examples	The interns' supervisor addressed the group, saying "We don't expect our interns to be worldly-wise-we expect them to be conscientious, hardworking, and committed to learning how work in a small non-profit is done." "His supposed ruthlessness is the perfect antidote to that greatest of sins for the worldly-wise-naïveté." - From Miles J. Unger's 2011 book Machiavelli: A Biography
Definition	: possessing a practical and often shrewd understanding of human affairs

Adjectives Word Good Small Competent Expect Worldly Wise October