prudent
UK /ˈpɹuː.dənt/ · US /ˈpɹu.dənt/ adjective
- adjective Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct. “It is prudent to consult a physician before beginning any new exercise regimen.”
- adjective Practically wise, judicious, shrewd. “His prudent career moves reliably brought him to the top.”
- adjective Frugal; economical; not extravagant. “Only prudent expenditure may provide quality within a restrictive budget.”
Synonyms
careful considerate discreet alert attentive cautelous cautious canny chary circumspect conservative deliberate guarded heedful heedy hesitant meticulous mindful reckful safe
Antonyms
careless cursory derelict heedless irregardless irrespective lash lax incautious neglectful negligent reckless imprudent
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English prudent, from Old French prudent, from Latin prūdēns, contracted from prōvidēns (“foresight”) (English providence), the present participle of prōvideō (“to forsee; to provide for”). Unrelated to prude. Doublet of provident. Displaced native Old English glēaw.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; --opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior.
- adjective Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.
Etymology [L. prudens, -entis, contr. from providens: cf. F. prudent. See Provident.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “prudent”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details