hindsight
HYND-syt
ˈhaɪndsaɪt
Understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened or developed.
Hindsight often carries a tone of regret or a realization that something was obvious in the past, even if it wasn't at the time.
The story behind the word. A relatively modern English compound. If 'foresight' is looking forward, 'hindsight' is looking at what is behind you.
Word relationships
- retrospection: Retrospection is the act of looking back; hindsight is the wisdom gained from doing so.
- foresight: Foresight is the ability to predict what will happen or be needed in the future.
Commonly confused with
- insight: Insight is a deep understanding of a person or thing in the present; hindsight is understanding after it's over.
Collocations
- benefit of hindsight
- in hindsight
- with hindsight
Idioms & expressions
- hindsight is 20/20
Example sentences
- "Hindsight is always twenty-twenty." Common idiom
- "With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that the company overextended itself during the boom years." Business analysis
Memory hook
Hindsight = The 'hind' (back) 'sight' (view). Looking at the back of the event. Wisdom after the event.
When not to use
Do not use this for simple memory; it specifically refers to the wisdom gained after the fact.
Fun facts
- The 'Hindsight Bias' is a psychological phenomenon where people convince themselves they predicted an event after it has already occurred.
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