prudent
Definitions
Acting with care and good judgment, especially by thinking ahead to the consequences
审慎的，谨慎的；明智的（尤指能预见后果、三思而后行）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedprud (from Latin prūdens) + -ent (adj.) = 'foreseeing.' But prūdens is itself a contraction of prōvidens (prō- 'ahead' + vidēns 'seeing'), so prudent literally means 'seeing ahead.' Someone who sees the consequences coming acts carefully and sensibly — hence prudent = wisely cautious. It's essentially provident with the 'see' worn away.
Root prud still carries 5 more wordsWhy It Means This
Prudent has a hidden 'eye' in it. The Romans equated wisdom with foresight, so prūdens ('foreseeing') simply meant 'wise.' Centuries of speech wore prōvidens ('seeing ahead') down to prūdens, swallowing the 'see' (vid) in the middle. That's why prudent feels like it's about caution but really started as being about vision — the ability to look down the road and judge what's coming.
Common Collocations
- 1.prudent decision审慎的决定
- 2.prudent investment稳健的投资
- 3.financially prudent财务上稳健的
- 4.prudent approach审慎的做法
- 5.it would be prudent to审慎的做法是……
Example Sentences
- 1.
It would be prudent to save some money for emergencies.
- 2.
A prudent investor spreads risk across several markets.
Easily Confused
prudent vs cautious — Both mean careful, but cautious is about avoiding danger or risk in the moment (a cautious driver), while prudent is about wise judgment over the longer term, weighing future consequences (a prudent investor). You can be prudent and still take a calculated risk; a cautious person tends to avoid risk altogether.
Synonym Comparison
- prudent — wise and careful, especially with foresight about consequences; often about money and decisions
- cautious — focused on avoiding danger or risk right now
- wise — broad; having deep knowledge and good judgment in general
- sensible — practical and reasonable, down-to-earth; less lofty than wise
- circumspect — formal; careful to consider all circumstances before acting