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: sapience, enlightenment, erudition

   Antonyms: ignorance

3. wise sayings or teachings; precepts.
4. a wise act or saying.
5. (initial capital letter) Douay Bible. 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 Words From

• wisdom·less 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

Conventional wisdom in the EV industry has it that a battery pack costing $100 per kilowatt-hour of storage would make it possible to sell EVs for about the same price as gasoline-burning cars.

From Fortune

This is true for monetary, fiscal, regulatory, and even social policy, with none of the post-Abe contenders prepared to step away from the advice and wisdom offered by the technocracy.

From Fortune

Research shows that, despite conventional wisdom that traffic slows commerce, congestion is good for the economy and jobs.

From Fortune

You can make your content a place people turn to for wisdom and perspective—all while scoring those trending keyword SEO points.

From Search Engine Watch

So Pat Brown set about repurposing the scientific wisdom he’d accrued over a long, fruitful career in biomedicine.

From Freakonomics

But he was always uncommonly gracious, a truly gentle man, willing to dispense wisdom and perspective when asked.

From The Daily Beast

Despite conventional wisdom, there are no rewards just for participating.

From The Daily Beast

Common sense is not a just a normative judgment about wisdom, but a structural feature of any functioning organization.

From The Daily Beast

The traditional wisdom is “action is character,” and their evolution is one, with a slight edge to character.

From The Daily Beast

He made an easy target, the know-it-all liberal egghead who demeaned the wisdom of the American people.

From The Daily Beast

In Luke it is said, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.”

From Project Gutenberg

The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.

From Project Gutenberg

The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.

From Project Gutenberg

Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.

From Project Gutenberg

He showed his wisdom in giving the Pandemonium card-room a very wide berth for the rest of his days.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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