prudence

¹ American  

[prood-ns] / ˈprud ns /

noun

1. the quality or fact of being prudent, or wise in practical affairs, as by providing for the future.

   Antonyms:

   rashness

2. caution with regard to practical matters; discretion.

3. regard for one's own interests.

4. provident care in the management of resources; economy; frugality.

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Prudence ² American  

[prood-ns] / ˈprud ns /

noun

1. a female given name.

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prudence British  

/ ˈpruːdəns /

noun

1. caution in practical affairs; discretion or circumspection

2. care taken in the management of one's resources

3. consideration for one's own interests

4. the condition or quality of being prudent

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Related Words

Prudence, calculation, foresight, forethought imply attempted provision against possible contingencies. Prudence is care, caution, and good judgment, as well as wisdom in looking ahead: sober prudence in handling one's affairs. Calculation suggests a disposition to get a large return for as small an outlay as possible and willingness to benefit at the expense of others: cold calculation. Foresight implies a prudent looking ahead rather far into the future: clear foresight in planning. Forethought emphasizes the adequacy of preparation for the future: Careful forethought helped him deal with the emergency.

Other Word Forms

• nonprudence noun

Etymology

Origin of prudence

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prūdentia. See prudent, -ence

Example Sentences

However, I am not certain whether I exercised sufficient prudence in making this additional homeownership investment with such a short window before retirement.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

It’s not amoral to exercise exceptional prudence when considering an attack on another country, no matter how odious you may find its government.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

“The renewed trade policy uncertainty has reinforced the prudence of keeping rates on hold until the economic fog clears,” Lyngen writes.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

"The United States must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence," he warned, according to the state's Xinhua news agency.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Here Hobbes distinguishes between two types of knowledge: science, which is, as Hume would later say, about the relationship between ideas; and what he calls prudence, which is about facts.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• austerity
• conservatism
• diligence
• discretion
• foresight
• frugality
• judgment
• tact
• vigilance
• wisdom