prudent

pru·dent

adj \ˈprü-d^ənt\

Definition of PRUDENT

: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence: as a : marked by wisdom or judiciousness <prudent advice> b : shrewd in the management of practical affairs <prudent investors> c : marked by circumspection : discreet d : provident, frugal

— pru·dent·ly adverb

Examples of PRUDENT

1. He always listened to her prudent advice.
2. You made a prudent choice.
3. An endless war is not always the most moral or the most prudent course of action. —Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 2 Sept. 2002
4. We missed the Mass for St. Rose of Lima, who, though prudent, had failed to be martyred and was therefore only second-string. —Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
5. Prudent burners take several precautions. Burning one of two bordering fields, they wet the edge of one or the other, usually the one being burned, to prevent the flames from jumping. —Alec Wilkinson, Big Sugar, 1989
6. Since the inexplicable power of a magnetized needle to “find” the north smacked of black magic … . For many decades the prudent sea captain consulted his compass secretly. —Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983

Origin of PRUDENT

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prudent-, prudens, contraction of provident-, providens — more at provident

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PRUDENT

Synonyms: intelligent, judgmatic (or judgmatical), judicious, discreet

Antonyms: imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious

Related Words: cautious, chary, circumspect, cozy; forehanded, foresighted, foresightful, forethoughtful; discerning, discriminating, sage, sane, sapient, senseful, sensible, wise; canny, provident; astute, perspicacious, sagacious, shrewd

Near Antonyms: careless, heedless, incautious, rash; improvident, shortsighted; foolish, unwise

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at wise

Rhymes with PRUDENT

student