wisdom

[wiz-duhm]

noun

1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

   Synonyms: understanding, sense
   Antonyms: stupidity

2. scholarly knowledge or learning.

   the wisdom of the schools.

   Synonyms: enlightenment, erudition, sapience
   Antonyms: ignorance

3. wise sayings or teachings; precepts.

4. a wise act or saying.

5. (initial capital letter),  Wisdom of Solomon.

wisdom

/ ˈwɪzdəm /

noun

1. the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight

2. accumulated knowledge, erudition, or enlightenment

3. archaic,  a wise saying or wise sayings or teachings

4. obsolete,  soundness of mind

Other Word Forms

• wisdomless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisdom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wīsdōm; cognate with Old Norse vīsdōmr, German Weistum. See wise ¹, -dom

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisdom¹

Old English wīsdōm; see _wise ¹ , _-dom

Synonym Study

See information.

Example Sentences

He may also have resisted attributing such a classic-to-be to a shooter the AP hadn’t had the wisdom to actually hire.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The need for and wisdom of their video is highly debatable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lately, though, the conventional wisdom has been challenged, and for good reason: Independent, peer-reviewed research has found no correlation—let alone causation—between diversity and performance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He offered words of wisdom for Thanksgiving: “Always do thy duty, which is best, leave unto the Lord the rest.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The accepted wisdom is the Kookaburra traditionally offers less assistance to bowlers.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• acumen 
• caution 
• common sense 
• experience 
• foresight 
• insight 
• intelligence 
• judgment 
• knowledge 
• poise 
• prudence 
• sanity 
• savvy 
• sophistication 
• understanding