judicious

[joo-dish-uhs]

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adjective

using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic: judicious use of one's money.
having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised: a judicious selection of documents.

Origin of judicious

1590–1600; < Latin jūdici(um) judgment (see judge, -ium) + -ous; compare Italian giudizioso, French judicieux

Related formsju·di·cious·ly, adverbju·di·cious·ness, nouno·ver·ju·di·cious, adjectiveo·ver·ju·di·cious·ly, adverbo·ver·ju·di·cious·ness, noun

Can be confusedjudicial judiciary judicious (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms for judicious

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2. rational, reasonable, sober, sound, sagacious, enlightened, considered.

Synonym study

1. See practical. 1, 2. See moderate. 2. Judicious, judicial both refer to a balanced and wise judgment. Judicious implies the possession and use of discerning and discriminating judgment: a judicious use of one's time. Judicial has connotations of judgments made in a courtroom and refers to a fair and impartial kind of judgment: cool and judicial in examining the facts.

Antonyms for judicious

1. imprudent. 2. silly, unreasonable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for judicious

sensible, prudent, reasonable, skillful, shrewd, thorough, cautious, sane, circumspect, rational, expedient, sober, careful, considerate, astute, accurate, acute, calculating, considered, diplomatic

Examples from the Web for judicious

Contemporary Examples of judicious

And if Obama has recently sounded like a paragon of judicious oversight, the actions of his administration belie his words.
The Domestic Spying of Hoover’s FBI Is an Eerie Prequel to the NSA’s Snooping Today
Betty Medsger
March 23, 2014
At a brisk, 90 minutes, Gravity is a master class not just in technical achievement, but in judicious editing.
And the Best Picture Oscar Goes to… ‘12 Years A Slave,’ ‘Gravity,’ or ‘American Hustle?’
Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern
March 1, 2014
Boyd is so judicious, both about the life and work, so utterly conscientious, that he sees every episode in the round.
Blake Bailey: How I Write
Noah Charney
March 20, 2013
That means being resolute but judicious about the use of force.
Chuck Hagel’s Experience as a Soldier Uniquely Qualifies Him to Head Defense
Matt Pottinger
January 5, 2013
In the winery, this means long, temperature-controlled barrel fermentation, not too much stirring and judicious use of new oak.
A Burgundy Wine Feast
Sophie Menin
July 4, 2010

Historical Examples of judicious

We have already observed that the selection of this name was judicious in more than one relation.
Ridgeway
Scian Dubh
They are so unbusinesslike, we could make them do anything by judicious management.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Captain Elkhanah poured himself a judicious dose from the bottle.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
All this showed his judicious foresight, his faith in the future.
Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
"Yes—you had to win the basketball game," he nodded with a judicious appreciation.
Highacres
Jane Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for judicious

judicious

adjective

having or proceeding from good judgment

Derived Formsjudiciously, adverbjudiciousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for judicious

adj.

1590s, "having sound judgment," from Middle French judicieux (16c.), from Latin iudicium "judgment," from iudicem (see judge (v.)). Meaning "careful, prudent" is from c.1600. Related: Judiciously; judiciousness.