-wise is a suffix that is attached to a noun with a hyphen to form an adjective or adverb that means with respect to or concerning, in the manner of or in the direction of. Some words with the suffix -wise have dropped the hyphen and been accepted into English usage. Examples are clockwise, which means the direction in which the hands of a clock travel and lengthwise, meaning parallel with an item’s length. Coined words such as security-wise and price-wise are effective in conveying their meaning, but are not considered Standard English. Overuse of the suffix -wise has often been parodied, such as the use of -wise words in the 1960 Jack Lemmon-Shirley MacLaine movie, The Apartment.
Examples
I definitely feel a lot better healthwise and a lot less tired, that’s for sure. (The New Zealand Herald)
Ms. Davis — who at different points in the set called to mind Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor and Paul Bley, without resorting to mimicry — often led this charge, starting out with a blank canvas and creeping slantwise into a repeatable motif. (The New York Times)
The Chrysler Town & Country Gilbert was driving rotated counter clockwise into the path of the Peterbilt Motors Conventional, causing the front of the semi to strike the left side of the Chrysler Town & Country, officers said. (The Ledger-Enquirer)
The reality is that there is no incentive tax-wise for Irish entrepreneurs (The Irish Independent)
Yes, it still feels like summer, but school-wise that’s about to come to an end. (The Palm Beach Post)
“It will be super exciting dessert-wise to see what comes out in the city in the next year restaurant-wise and shop-wise,” he predicts. (The Toronto Star)
Finally, we presented the religion-wise and caste-wise description presented in Bollywood films to 150 school students. (Hindustan Times)
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