adjective
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discreet or cautious in managing one's activities; circumspect
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practical and careful in providing for the future
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exercising good judgment or common sense
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prudent
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin prūdent- (stem of prūdēns ), contraction of prōvidēns provident
Explanation
Describe an action as prudent if it is the wise thing to do under the existing circumstances. If you're getting in trouble, it is probably prudent to keep your mouth closed and just listen. If you show good and careful judgment when handling practical matters, you can be described as prudent. Similarly, a wise and well-thought-through decision or action can be called prudent. The word comes from a contracted form of the Latin prōvidēns, from the verb "to foresee." The English word provident, "wise in planning for the future," is the non-contracted descendent of the same Latin root.
Vocabulary lists containing prudent
100 Top "SAT" Words
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The Hobbit
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Grade 10, List 4
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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.
John Buckingham, the editor of the Prudent Speculator, took the latter approach recently when sharing a list of 17 dividend-stock value picks with MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025
John Buckingham at the Prudent Speculator thinks this means earnings could return to growth mode next year and in 2027, and that will improve sentiment on the stock.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 11, 2025
Archley Prudent said, as he looked around the lobby of the hall.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 8, 2023
"Prudent funding and liquidity management will remain integral to ratings stability."
From Reuters • Mar. 16, 2023
"I think "Prudent Elsie" a very nice name, isn't it, father, dear?"
From Roland Graeme: Knight A Novel of Our Time by Machar, Agnes Maule
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.
