wisdom

American  

[wiz-duhm] / ˈwɪz dəm /

noun

1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

   Synonyms:

   understanding, sense

   Antonyms:

   stupidity

2. scholarly knowledge or learning.

   the wisdom of the schools.

   Synonyms:

   enlightenment, erudition, sapience

   Antonyms:

   ignorance

3. wise sayings or teachings; precepts.

4. a wise act or saying.

5. (initial capital letter) Wisdom of Solomon.

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wisdom British  

/ ˈwɪzdəm /

noun

1. the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight

2. accumulated knowledge, erudition, or enlightenment

3. archaic a wise saying or wise sayings or teachings

4. obsolete soundness of mind

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Related Words

See information.

Other Word Forms

• wisdomless adjective

Etymology

Origin of wisdom

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wīsdōm; cognate with Old Norse vīsdōmr, German Weistum. See wise ¹, -dom

Example Sentences

You return to the grocery store — not with a blank slate — but with a little lived-in wisdom tucked into your pocket.

From Salon

Points were made about the wisdom of switching formations and returning to a back three for a meeting with bottom-of-the-table Wolves at the end of December.

From BBC

The frontman seems to somehow anchor the rhythmic chaos, warbling words that swerve wildly between incisiveness and irreverence; wisdom and wonderful nonsense.

From BBC

She retired from acting in 1973, aged 39, declaring: "I gave my youth and beauty to men, I give my wisdom and experience to animals."

From BBC

Thanks for the energy policy wisdom wrapped in a Cold War callback.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• acumen
• caution
• common sense
• experience
• foresight
• insight
• intelligence
• judgment
• knowledge
• poise
• prudence
• sanity
• savvy
• sophistication
• understanding