judiciously
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of judiciously
Explanation
When you do something judiciously, you use common sense or good judgment. It's important for juries to act judiciously when they're making a decision about a verdict. If you're giving someone bad news, it's best to speak judiciously, carefully considering how your words will be received, and when a teacher chooses one student to be his assistant for the day, he should choose judiciously so the others don't get their feelings hurt. The adverb judiciously comes from the Latin iudicium, "judgment," by way of the Middle French judicieux.
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.
David Stuttard puts this episode to good effect in “Hubris: Pericles, the Parthenon, and the Invention of Athens,” the third of his popular, though judiciously researched, histories of Athens during the fifth century B.C.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Your $400,000 inheritance can be used to supplement your current income and, if managed judiciously — go easy on the gifts — it could last you into your 80s and beyond.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper urged ministers to use the "unprecedented legislation judiciously".
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2025
The score sustains single notes like a dirge as Leigh judiciously chooses which noises he’ll let barge into Pansy’s sterile life.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025
“Oh, ordinary penguins, yes,” said the Admiral judiciously; “but not such highly-trained birds as yours, Mr. Popper. They could outwit any polar bear, I guess.”
From "Mr. Popper's Penguins" by Florence Atwater and Richard Atwater
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.
