prudence

noun

pru·​dence ˈprü-dᵊn(t)s 

1

: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

2

: skill and good judgment in the management of affairs and the use of resources

3

: caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

Synonyms of prudence

• carefulness
• caution
• care
• circumspection

Examples of prudence in a Sentence

He always exercises prudence with his finances.

advised to use some old-fashioned prudence when agreeing to meet face-to-face with an online acquaintance

Recent Examples on the Web

Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Having both adequate owners’ capital against insolvency and deposit reserves against illiquidity were voluntary prudence early in this historical evolution. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026

What abundance in your faces, what prudence in your steady gait! —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

Over and over again, the owners opt for organizational stagnation and attempt to disguise it as prudence. —Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prudentia, alteration of providentia — more at providence

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prudence

• imprudence
• impudence
• jurisprudence

Kids Definition

prudence

noun

pru·​dence ˈprüd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

2

: skill and good judgment in the management of affairs

Legal Definition

prudence

noun

pru·​dence ˈprüd-ᵊns 

: attentiveness to possible hazard : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

a person of ordinary prudence