prudent
gb/pɹˈudənt/ us/pɹˈudənt/
B2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
careful and wise in decisions
Being careful and making good choices to avoid danger or problems.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is prudent to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prudent' with 'prude', which means someone who is overly concerned with morals or modesty.
Synonyms
wise (Suggests good judgment based on experience or knowledge.)
|
sensible (Emphasizes practicality and reasonableness.)
Antonyms
reckless (Describes acting without thinking about danger or consequences.)
|
imprudent (Direct opposite; lacking care or good judgment.)
Collocations
prudent decision
|prudent choice
|prudent approach
|financially prudent
|prudent investment
Themes
decision-making
|life skills
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It would be prudent to save some money for emergencies.
- The company took a prudent approach to expanding into new markets.
- She made a prudent decision to wait until the storm passed before leaving.
Learner examples
- It is prudent to wear a seatbelt.
- He made a prudent plan for his trip.
- Saving money is a prudent thing to do.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prudent
IPA
GB/pɹˈudənt/
US/pɹˈudənt/
Syllables & stress
prudent (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prudent)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: prudent
Word family
Core family
prudence
noun B2
prudently
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
imprudent
adjective
imprudence
noun
imprudently
adverb
Advanced or less common
prudential
adjective
Expressions
financially prudent
1/fɪnˈænʃəli pɹˈudənt/
fixed phrase
careful with money decisions
Using money in a way that avoids waste and risk.
Examples
- Being financially prudent can help you avoid debt.
- She is financially prudent and invests her savings wisely.
prudent course of action
1/pɹˈudənt kˈɔɹs əv ˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
the safest or wisest choice
The best and most careful thing to do in a situation.
Examples
- In this case, the prudent course of action is to wait for more information.
- The board agreed that reducing expenses was the prudent course of action.