noun
wizard
WIHZ-uhd
noun
1
In folklore and fantasy fiction, a man who practises magic; a sorcerer.
"The old wizard raised his staff and the storm clouds parted."
"In the story, a young wizard learns to control his powers at a hidden school."
2
Someone with exceptional skill or knowledge in a particular field.
"She's a wizard with spreadsheets — she can build a working model in minutes."
"He was known around the office as a marketing wizard."
3
A step-by-step on-screen guide that walks a user through a complicated task.
"The setup wizard asks a few simple questions before installing the software."
"Follow the wizard to configure your new printer."
How to Use Wizard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who does magic in stories, or — in everyday use — someone brilliant at something, or a guided step-by-step helper in software.
Memory tip
If you see "wizard" in a computer program, it just means a friendly guide clicking you through several steps — nothing magical.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
setup wizard
a wizard at something
wave a wand like a wizard
Word Forms
wizarded past tense, wizards plural, wizards singular
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The old _____ raised his staff and the storm clouds parted.
Etymology
From Middle English wysard, built from wise plus the suffix -ard. It originally meant a wise person or sage, and only picked up its magical sense around the 1500s.