judicious

[joo-dish-uhs]

adjective

1. using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic.

   judicious use of one's money.

   Antonyms: imprudent

2. having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised.

   a judicious selection of documents.

   Synonyms: considered, sagacious, sound, sound, sober, reasonable, rational, rational
   Antonyms: unreasonable, silly

judicious

/ dʒuːˈdɪʃəs /

adjective

1. having or proceeding from good judgment

Other Word Forms

• judiciously adverb
• judiciousness noun
• overjudicious adjective
• overjudiciousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicious¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin jūdici(um) “judgment” ( judge, -ium ) + -ous; compare Italian giudizioso, French judicieux

Synonym Study

See practical. See moderate. Judicious, judicial both refer to a balanced and wise judgment. Judicious implies the possession and use of discerning and discriminating judgment: a judicious use of one's time. Judicial has connotations of judgments made in a courtroom and refers to a fair and impartial kind of judgment: cool and judicial in examining the facts.

Example Sentences

“What we want to stay really judicious on is: Are we hiring the absolute best, and does the meritocracy work all the way through the system?” he said.

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What’s a bit befuddling is how “All Her Fault” introduces major elements of its characters’ backstories far later than seems fair on the part of the storytellers, or judicious on the part of the parents.

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Lifespan: Heavy use degrades the coating in about a year, though judicious care can extend the pan’s life to, say, three years.

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With judicious trimming, particularly of the occasional puddle of expository or repetitive dialogue, the play would gain a tauter pace.

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“If you need it, you need it, but then be judicious about it,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astute 
• careful 
• cautious 
• circumspect 
• considerate 
• expedient 
• prudent 
• rational 
• reasonable 
• sane 
• sensible 
• shrewd 
• skillful 
• sober 
• thorough