prudent
PROO-dunt
/ˈpruː.dənt/
Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
Focuses on sensible caution, foresight, and avoiding unnecessary risk or expenditure.
The story behind the word. Prudent is a direct contraction of the Latin word 'providens' (which also gave us 'provide' and 'provident'). Literally, 'pro-videre' means 'to see ahead'. A prudent person is someone who mentally looks down the road before taking a step.
Word relationships
- cautious: Cautious emphasizes hesitation or fear of danger, whereas prudent emphasizes sensible foresight and long-term wisdom.
- judicious: Judicious focuses on sound judgment and fairness, while prudent focuses on risk reduction and care for the future.
- imprudent: Not showing care for consequences; rash.
- reckless: Without thought or care for consequences.
Commonly confused with
- prudish: Prudish means excessively easily shocked by sexual or modest matters, while prudent means wisely cautious.
Word family
- prudently (adverb): In a prudent manner.
- prudence (noun): The quality of being prudent; cautiousness.
Collocations
- prudent investment
- prudent measure
- prudent decision
- prudent management
Idioms & expressions
- play it safe
- better safe than sorry
Example sentences
- "It is prudent to maintain an emergency savings fund equal to at least six months of living expenses." Financial planning
- "Given the volatile market conditions, the board took a prudent decision to delay expanding overseas." Corporate strategy
Memory hook
A PRUDENT person PROVIDES for future needs. PRO-VIDENT = Seeing forward into the future.
When not to use
Avoid when describing bold, daring, or adventurous risk-taking.
Fun facts
- In classical philosophy, 'prudence' was considered one of the four cardinal virtues, alongside justice, fortitude, and temperance.
Explore more words
judicious, imprudent, prudence, circumspect, precaution, frugal
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