prudent
[prood-nt]
- wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober.
- careful in providing for the future; provident: a prudent decision.
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Origin of prudent
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
cautiousreasonablefrugalshrewdvigilantdiscreetsaneeconomicaljudiciouscarefuladvisablecannycircumspectdiscerningfar-sightedleerypoliticprovidentsagacioussageExamples from the Web for prudent
Contemporary Examples
There was no way to test blood for HIV, and excluding gays was a prudent move.
Bicycle riders are prudent to fear being clipped by a passing car.
It was the result of a chain of good decisions—wise, prudent, long-sighted, or, at the least, expedient choices.
It is, rather famously, not the most prudent move to get a Ph.D in philosophy.
It would be prudent to reach some kind of consensus soon, because when you collect-it-all, the next step is to automate-it-all.
Historical Examples
He resolved to be as prudent as possible, and avoid, as far as he could, any altercation with Haley.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
I am to be prudent and economical, of course; that's part of my trust.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusJessie Graham Flower
A prudent person, lapsing into a dilemma, is specially discomfitted.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
Will you permit me now to introduce you to your prudent friend and your fair enemy?
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Very strong; and he is prudent to leave that opinion in writing.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
prudent
- discreet or cautious in managing one's activities; circumspect
- practical and careful in providing for the future
- exercising good judgment or common sense
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin prūdēns far-sighted, contraction of prōvidens acting with foresight; see provident
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 prudent
adj.
late 14c., from Old French prudent "with knowledge, deliberate" (c.1300), from Latin prudentem (nominative prudens) "knowing, skilled, sagacious, circumspect;" rarely in literal sense "foreseeing;" contraction of providens, present participle of providere "to foresee" (see provide). Related: Prudently.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper