Sage
mediumPositive toneSAYJ
noun
Definition
a profoundly wise person
Memory hook
SAGE: picture a wise old wizard seasoning his stew with the herb SAGE while dispensing deep truths; the herb and the wise man share a name.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Travelers journeyed for weeks to seek counsel from the mountain sage.”
“Even seasoned scholars deferred to the old sage's quiet judgment.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Travelers journeyed for weeks to seek counsel from the mountain ______.”
Show answer
sage
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Sage is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "wise man" or "savant" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "fool".
Related GRE Words
pundit
a self-styled expert who comments authoritatively, especially in media
adage
A proverb or short statement expressing a general truth
caustic
bitingly sarcastic or sharply critical (also chemically corrosive)
condone
to overlook, forgive, or tacitly approve of an offense
derivative
unoriginal; imitative of someone else's work
fawn
to flatter or seek favor through servile behavior
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