Wisdom is the ability to use your experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions or judgments.
...the patience and wisdom that comes from old age.
...a great man, who spoke words of great wisdom.
2. variable noun
Wisdom is the store of knowledge that a society or culture has collected over a long period of time.
...a folksy piece of wisdom.
...this church's original Semitic wisdom, religion and faith.
...a simpler and more humane approach, based on ancient wisdoms and 'natural' mechanisms.
Synonyms: knowledge, learning, philosophy, scholarship More Synonyms of wisdom
3. singular noun
If you talk about the wisdom of a particular decision or action, you are talking about how sensible it is.
Many Lithuanians have expressed doubts about the wisdom of the decision. [+ of]
Synonyms: prudence, reason, sense, intelligence More Synonyms of wisdom
4. variable noun
You can use wisdom to refer to ideas that are accepted by a large number of people.
Health education wisdom in the U.K. differs from that of the United States.
Unchallenged wisdoms flow swiftly among the middle classes.
See conventional wisdom
More Synonyms of wisdom
wisdom in British English
(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
▶ Related adjective: sagacious
Word origin
Old English wīsdōm; see wise1, -dom
wisdom in American English
(ˈwɪzdəm)
noun
1.
the quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity
2.
learning; knowledge; erudition
the wisdom of the ages
3. Rare
wise discourse or teaching
4. [W-]
Wisdom of Solomon
5.
a wise plan or course of action
SIMILAR WORDS: ˌinforˈmation
Word origin
ME < OE < wis, wise1 + -dom, -dom
More idioms containing
wisdom
pearls of wisdom
COBUILD Collocations
wisdom
accepted wisdom
Examples of 'wisdom' in a sentence
wisdom
Yet conventional wisdom suggests that such tactics do not work for luxury goods.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In doing so they fool themselves that the wisdom of the people must inevitably support their world view.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His success is defying conventional wisdom.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is a man in the Bundesliga who is turning convention and received wisdom on its head.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A case in point is the conventional wisdom on inequality.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I don't see how anyone can question my wisdom.
The Sun (2016)
When you're in a hole stop digging, the conventional wisdom suggests.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Wisdom was the ability to act on this information and stop smoking.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We can learn much from that ancient wisdom.
Kowalski, Robert E The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure (1990)
Wisdom means foundational knowledge about life and how it all works and fits together.
Christianity Today (2000)
This research contradicts much of the received wisdom on the link between income and happiness.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Nor is the wisdom of age restricted to musicians.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
People are apt to question the wisdom of this.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Today he is having a wisdom tooth removed and tomorrow he is back on his bin round.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Pop and jazz standards delivered with wit and wisdom by urbane vocalist.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This became the accepted wisdom by the end of the day.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Wisdom makes a particularly big contribution to happiness in old age.
Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)
The other is the theme of drawing on ancient wisdom to resolve conflict.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
People have wisdom on their side when they say that football is less and less a physical game.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We have lost all wisdom, all sense of touch or smell or fear or recognition.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is not the world of wrestling with the forces of darkness so much as having the wisdom and the insight to change.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
To him the bird's long face seemed full of patience and wisdom.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You have the wisdom and ability to draw a line under the past and convince people to see how good change can be.
The Sun (2013)
It means practical wisdom, a sense of yourself and the world that comes naturally to you.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That's the wisdom of the people.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Quotations
Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingersAlfred, Lord TennysonLocksley Hall
Wisdom denotes the pursuing of the best ends by the best meansFrancis HutchesonInquiry into the Original of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlookWilliam JamesPrinciples of Psychology
Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them soLord Chesterfield
wise enough to play the foolWilliam ShakespeareTwelfth Night
The price of wisdom is above rubiesBible: Job
Some folks are wise, and some are otherwiseTobias SmollettRoderick Random
But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?Bible: Job
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understandingBible: Proverbs
It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listenOliver Wendell HolmesThe Poet at the Breakfast-Table
Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs
Word lists with
wisdom
Books of the Apocrypha
In other languages
wisdom
British English: wisdom /ˈwɪzdəm/ NOUN
Wisdom is the ability to use your experience and knowledge to make sensible decisions and judgments.
...the patience and wisdom that comes from old age.
American English: wisdom
Arabic: حِكْمَة
Brazilian Portuguese: sabedoria
Chinese: 智慧
Croatian: mudrost
Czech: moudrost
Danish: visdom
Dutch: wijsheid
European Spanish: sabiduría
Finnish: viisaus
French: sagesse
German: Weisheit
Greek: σοφία
Italian: saggezza
Japanese: 賢明
Korean: 지혜
Norwegian: klokhet
Polish: mądrość
European Portuguese: sabedoria
Romanian: înțelepciune
Russian: мудрость
Latin American Spanish: sabiduría
Swedish: visdom
Thai: สติปัญญา ความเฉลียวฉลาด
Turkish: zeka
Ukrainian: мудрість
Vietnamese: sự thông thái
All related terms of 'wisdom'
folk wisdom
wisdom or beliefs associated with or traditional to the ordinary people of a country
wisdom tooth
Your wisdom teeth are the four large teeth at the back of your mouth which usually grow much later than your other teeth.
accepted wisdom
You can use wisdom to refer to ideas that are accepted by a large number of people.
ancient wisdom
pre-Christian knowledge, philosophy , and beliefs
worldly wisdom
experience of the world that makes you difficult to shock or deceive
conventional wisdom
The conventional wisdom about something is the generally accepted view of it.
pearls of wisdom
People describe what someone says as pearls of wisdom to suggest that it is wise or helpful , often when they are joking .
Wisdom of Solomon
a book of the Apocrypha , probably written about 50 bc , addressed primarily to Jews who were under the influence of Hellenistic learning
third molar
any of the four molar teeth , one at the back of each side of the jaw , that are the last of the permanent teeth to erupt
cut one's wisdom teeth
to arrive at the age of discretion
Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach
→ Ecclesiasticus
Wisdom of Jesus, the Son of Sirach
→ the Wisdom of Jesus, the Son of Sirach
the Wisdom of Jesus, the Son of Sirach
one of the books of the Apocrypha , written around 180 bc and also called the Wisdom of Jesus , the son of Sirach
streetwise
Someone who is streetwise knows how to deal with difficult or dangerous situations in big cities.
Chinese translation of 'wisdom'
wisdom
(ˈwɪzdəm)
n(u)
[of person]智慧 (zhìhuì)
[of action, remark]明智 (míngzhì)
1 (noun)
Definition
the ability to use one's experience and knowledge to make sensible decisions or judgments
a woman respected for her wisdom and insight
Synonyms
understanding
They have to have a basic understanding of computers.
learning
knowledge
the quest for scientific knowledge
intelligence
She's a woman of exceptional intelligence.
smarts (slang, mainly US)
judgment
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
insight
He was a man of considerable insight and diplomatic skills.
enlightenment
We set off for the East in search of spiritual enlightenment.
penetration
comprehension
The situation was utterly beyond her comprehension.
foresight
erudition
a writer who displays an impressive level of erudition
discernment
their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality
sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
sound judgment
sapience
Opposites
stupidity
,
foolishness
2 (noun)
Definition
accumulated knowledge or learning
Her music is rooted in European harmonies but also infused with Eastern wisdom.
Synonyms
knowledge
She didn't intend to display her knowledge, at least not yet.
learning
The library is the focal point of learning on the campus.
philosophy
He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.
scholarship
I want to take advantage of your lifetime of scholarship.
lore
prophets and diviners, knowledgeable in the lore of the stars
3 (noun)
Definition
the ability to use one's experience and knowledge to make sensible decisions or judgments
Many have expressed doubts about the wisdom of the decision.
Synonyms
prudence
acting with prudence and judgment
reason
a conflict between emotion and reason
sense
When he was younger he had a bit more sense.
intelligence
logic
The plan was based on sound commercial logic.
circumspection
astuteness
judiciousness
Opposites
bêtise (rare)
,
nonsense
,
folly
,
stupidity
,
absurdity
,
foolishness
,
silliness
,
idiocy
,
senselessness
,
daftness (informal)
,
injudiciousness
related words
related adjectivesagacious
related maniasophomania
Quotations
Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers [Alfred, Lord Tennyson – Locksley Hall]Wisdom denotes the pursuing of the best ends by the best means [Francis Hutcheson – Inquiry into the Original of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue]The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook [William James – Principles of Psychology]Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so [Lord Chesterfield]wise enough to play the fool [William Shakespeare – Twelfth Night]The price of wisdom is above rubies [Bible: Job]Some folks are wise, and some are otherwise [Tobias Smollett – Roderick Random]But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? [Bible: Job]Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding [Bible: Proverbs]It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen [Oliver Wendell Holmes – The Poet at the Breakfast-Table]
proverb
Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs
Additional synonyms
in the sense of comprehension
Definition
understanding
The situation was utterly beyond her comprehension.
Synonyms
understanding,
grasp,
conception,
realization,
sense,
knowledge,
intelligence,
judgment,
perception,
discernment
in the sense of discernment
their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality
Synonyms
judgment,
discrimination,
perception,
understanding,
intelligence,
awareness,
insight,
penetration,
ingenuity,
sharpness,
acumen,
cleverness,
keenness,
shrewdness,
perspicacity (formal),
sagacity,
astuteness,
acuteness,
perceptiveness,
clear-sightedness,
percipience
in the sense of enlightenment
Definition
the act of enlightening or the state of being enlightened
We set off for the East in search of spiritual enlightenment.
Synonyms
understanding,
information,
learning,
education,
teaching,
knowledge,
instruction,
awareness,
wisdom,
insight,
literacy,
sophistication,
comprehension,
cultivation,
refinement,
open-mindedness,
edification,
broad-mindedness
Synonyms of 'wisdom'
wisdom
Explore 'wisdom' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of erudition
a writer who displays an impressive level of erudition
Synonyms
learning,
education,
knowledge,
scholarship,
letters,
lore,
academic knowledge
in the sense of insight
Definition
a penetrating understanding, as of a complex situation or problem
He was a man of considerable insight and diplomatic skills.
Synonyms
perception,
understanding,
intelligence,
sense,
knowledge,
vision,
judgment,
awareness,
grasp,
appreciation,
intuition,
penetration,
comprehension,
acumen,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal)
in the sense of intelligence
Definition
the ability to understand, learn, and think things out quickly
She's a woman of exceptional intelligence.
Synonyms
intellect,
understanding,
brains (informal),
mind,
reason,
sense,
knowledge,
capacity,
smarts (slang, US),
judgment,
wit,
perception,
awareness,
insight,
penetration,
comprehension,
brightness,
aptitude,
acumen,
nous (British, slang),
alertness,
cleverness,
quickness,
discernment,
grey matter (informal),
brain power
in the sense of judgment
Definition
the ability to make critical distinctions and achieve a balanced viewpoint
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
Synonyms
sense,
common sense,
good sense,
judiciousness,
reason,
understanding,
taste,
intelligence,
smarts (slang, US),
discrimination,
perception,
awareness,
wisdom,
wit,
penetration,
prudence,
sharpness,
acumen,
shrewdness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
sagacity,
astuteness,
percipience
in the sense of learning
Definition
knowledge gained by studying
The library is the focal point of learning on the campus.
Synonyms
knowledge,
study,
education,
schooling,
research,
scholarship,
tuition,
enlightenment,
e-learning or elearning
in the sense of logic
Definition
reasoned thought or argument, as distinguished from irrationality
The plan was based on sound commercial logic.
Synonyms
reason,
reasoning,
sense,
good reason,
good sense,
sound judgment
in the sense of lore
Definition
collective knowledge or wisdom on a particular subject
prophets and diviners, knowledgeable in the lore of the stars
Synonyms
learning,
knowledge,
know-how (informal),
scholarship,
letters,
erudition
in the sense of penetration
Definition
keen insight or perception
Synonyms
perception,
insight,
wit,
sharpness,
keenness,
shrewdness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
astuteness,
acuteness
in the sense of philosophy
Definition
the particular doctrines of a specific individual or school relating to these issues
He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.
Synonyms
thought,
reason,
knowledge,
thinking,
reasoning,
wisdom,
logic,
metaphysics
in the sense of reason
Definition
sanity
a conflict between emotion and reason
Synonyms
sense,
mind,
reasoning,
understanding,
brains,
judgment,
logic,
mentality,
intellect,
comprehension,
apprehension,
sanity,
rationality,
soundness,
sound mind,
ratiocination
Additional synonyms
in the sense of sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
Synonyms
wisdom,
shrewdness,
understanding,
sense,
insight,
penetration,
prudence,
foresight,
sharpness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
knowingness,
astuteness,
acuteness,
canniness,
judiciousness,
sapience
in the sense of scholarship
Definition
academic achievement
I want to take advantage of your lifetime of scholarship.