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

Explanation

Use the noun prudence to describe sensible decisions about everyday life, like the prudence of people who spend their money wisely, saving as much as they can. Prudence can also describe the skill of side-stepping trouble or embarrassment, like having the prudence to avoid risks or the prudence to prepare for the unexpected, like packing a change of clothes in case the weather changes or your dinner reservations turn out to be at a fancy restaurant. Prudence comes from the Latin word prudentia, which means "foresight, sagacity."

Example Sentences

But having and holding allies is simple prudence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

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

Policymakers provide broad loss protection—either explicitly or implicitly—thereby weakening private incentives for prudence.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 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