Wizened
Having a dry, shriveled, or wrinkled appearance, usually as a result of aging
adjectiveWizened
Having a dry, shriveled, or wrinkled appearance, usually as a result of aging
adjectiveImagine This
An old monk called Zen has a wrinkled face, but is still very smart and knowledgeable, so people call him the Whiz Zen. (The Zen whiz is wizened.)
Sounds Like
WIZ-Ιnd
Looks Like
The word resembles 'wizen' and visually suggests dryness and wrinkles; evokes a weathered, aged appearance.
Remember This
A playful link: 'wiz' (smart) + 'Zen' (the religious Japanese meditation tradition) to hint at a figure who is both wise and withered.
Other Forms
Connect With
wrinkled, aged, weathered, withered, gaunt
Note
Commonly used to describe people, especially their faces. Do not use to describe nonhuman things unless metaphorical (e.g., 'the wizened cactus').
Study Deeper
- The wizened old man squinted at the map and spoke with surprising clarity.
- Her wizened face bore the lines of decades, yet her eyes remained bright with curiosity.
From the verb wizen, meaning to wither or shrink in size or appearance; the adjective wizened is formed with the -ed participle suffix.
Wisdom from a wizened sage: remember 'WIZ' = smart and 'ZEN' = calm wisdom; the wrinkles are the marks of time.
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