provident
Americanadjective
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providing for future needs
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exercising foresight in the management of one's affairs or resources
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characterized by or proceeding from foresight
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of provident
1400–50; Middle English < Latin prōvident- (stem of prōvidēns ), present participle of prōvidēre to look out for, provide
Explanation
If you are provident, that means you plan carefully for the future. You have your Christmas lights up in early December, you have a well-stocked pantry, and you have some savings tucked away just in case. The word provident traces back to the Latin word providere, meaning "foresee, provide." The word can be used to describe someone who looks into the future — foresees the future, in a sense — and makes decisions based on future needs. It’s often used to describe a thrifty individual who denies himself something today in order to save up for tomorrow, but it can describe actions as well — such as a provident decision that ends up preventing ruin down the road.
Vocabulary lists containing provident
Warm-up, List 4
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As You Like It
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 2
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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.
“I’ve been in it since 1997, and in all my years, I can’t remember a time like this,” said Holly Zabka, president of Provident Entertainment, a faith-based music label owned by Sony Music.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025
On Tuesday, Provident Financial Services and Lakeland Bank announced a $1.3 billion merger agreement.
From Washington Post • Sep. 28, 2022
Provident Financial Services Inc., down $2.89 to $20.27.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2022
British subprime lender Provident Financial returned to interim profit on Wednesday, as costs related to the wind-down of its doorstep lending unit fell and demand remained robust in its credit card business.
From Reuters • Jul. 27, 2022
Provident Hospital and nursing school for black women opened in 1891, providing high-quality medical care for the growing black community.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
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.
