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Sage

n. thoughtful, calm literary

What it means

A person whose mature wisdom helps others judge difficult questions well.

Reach for it when praising trusted judgment developed through reflection and experience

The young councilors sought the sage before choosing a route through the dispute.

Words to choose between 7

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
warm
professional
formal
literary

  • everyday

    wise person

    Fits when clarity matters more than elegance

    Careful The phrase conveys good judgment but not the respected cultural role of a sage.

  • warm

    elder

    Fits when age and standing within a community are relevant

    Careful Age alone never establishes wisdom, and elder may be inappropriate outside that community.

  • warm

    mentor

    Fits when guidance grows through an ongoing personal relationship

    Careful A mentor teaches or sponsors someone; a sage may advise a whole community once.

  • professional

    authority

    Fits when recognized expertise, rather than life wisdom, grounds the advice

    Careful Authority can come from office or technical study without sagacity.

  • professional

    counselor

    Fits when giving considered advice is the person's defined role

    Careful Counselors can be trained specialists without the broad wisdom implied here.

  • formal

    philosopher

    Fits when systematic thought about life or knowledge is central

    Careful A philosopher can be brilliant in theory yet poor at practical counsel.

  • literary

    oracle

    Fits when seemingly authoritative insight is being described dramatically

    Careful Oracle overstates certainty and may sound ironic.

Opposites 3

  • fool
  • novice
  • simpleton

Common phrases 3

  • village sage

    The village sage remembered which compromises had failed before.

  • wise sage

    A wise sage asks what each choice will cost the least powerful person.

  • advice of a sage

    The advice of a sage gave the grieving leader time before action.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Sage for a wise person is elevated and sometimes archetypal; use it only when the breadth of judgment is earned.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated