imprudent
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of imprudent
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin imprūdent- (stem of imprūdēns ) “unforeseeing, rash”; see im- 2, prudent
Explanation
To be imprudent means lacking self-restraint when it would be wise to have it, like that time you started dancing on the table during a math test. Remember that? Everybody else does. Prudent means "wise or shrewd," but add the prefix im- meaning "not," suddenly you have an adjective that describes the opposite of being wise or shrewd. An imprudent person doesn't think about the consequences and might cross the street without looking both ways or use a curling iron while taking a bath. Careless, wild, imprudent behavior can get you into big trouble!
Vocabulary lists containing imprudent
Night
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"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Imprudent cuts to military health care," the authors noted later, "pose risks that reach far beyond the military and include the nation's greater health system."
From Salon • May 11, 2020
Imprudent decisions are tossed into the air more than three-point shots, and then rules are created to bail out stupidity.
From Washington Post • May 1, 2017
Imprudent zeal, by seeking awkwardly to pluck out the thorn, often succeeds only in plunging it farther in, thus rendering the wound deeper and more painful.
From Light and Peace Instructions for devout souls to dispel their doubts and allay their fears by Quadrupani, Carlo Giuseppe
To persevere in your enterprise you must be—" "Imprudent!
From The Moon-Voyage by Verne, Jules
"Imprudent young man, you have, indeed, placed yourself in fearful jeopardy," a gentleman near him observed to Jocelyn.
From The Star-Chamber, Volume 1 An Historical Romance by Ainsworth, William Harrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
