judiciously

American

[joo-dish-uhs-lee] / dʒuˈdɪʃ əs li /

adverb

in a way that shows good judgment or discernment; wisely or prudently.

Food labels are required for a reason, and I use them judiciously to avoid chemicals and ingredients I don't want in my body.

Other Word Forms

overjudiciously adverb

Etymology

Origin of judiciously

judicious ( def. ) + -ly

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.

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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.

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

Man Ray is handled more judiciously in “Dreamworld.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

Renzi uses dozens of scenes from Sheen’s films to illustrate his life story, along with a few judiciously employed re-enactments.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2025

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper urged ministers to use the "unprecedented legislation judiciously".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 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