Definition

1. Noun:
   • Prudent management of resources: The quality or fact of being provident; careful management and foresight in the use of resources.
   • Divine guidance or care: The protective care or guidance of God or a divine power, often seen as a benevolent force directing events.
   • (Providence) God: When capitalized, a term used to refer to God as a guiding power.
   • A city in the United States: The capital city of the state of Rhode Island.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Prudent management):
  • Her providence in saving money allowed her to buy a house.
  • The family's financial providence helped them weather the economic crisis.
• Noun (Divine care):
  • They believed their survival was an act of providence.
  • Many see the timely arrival of help as a sign of divine providence.
• Noun (Capitalized, referring to God):
  • They trusted in Providence to guide their fate.
  • It was seen as the will of Providence.
• Noun (City):
  • Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
  • She moved to Providence last year.

Advanced Usage

• "To be left to providence": To allow events to unfold without human intervention, trusting in a higher power or fate.
  • With no plan left, they were simply left to providence.
• "A special providence": A specific instance of divine intervention or care.
  • He viewed his narrow escape as a special providence.

Variants and Related Words

• Provident (Adjective): Showing foresight and careful management, especially with resources.
  • He was provident, always saving for the future.
• Providential (Adjective): Happening at a good time because of lucky or divine intervention.
  • The providential arrival of the rescue team saved them.

Synonyms

• Foresight: The ability to predict or plan for the future.
• Prudence: Wisdom and caution in practical affairs.
• Divine intervention: Direct involvement by God in worldly affairs.

Related Phrases

• "To tempt providence": To act in a way that recklessly challenges fate or divine will.
  • Driving that fast in the rain is tempting providence.

Related Idioms

• "Providence is a better guide than our own foresight.": A saying suggesting that trusting in divine guidance is wiser than relying solely on one's own plans.

Noun

1. the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management of resources
2. a manifestation of God's foresightful care for his creatures
3. the guardianship and control exercised by a deity
   • divine providence
4. the capital and largest city of Rhode Island; located in northeastern Rhode Island on Narragansett Bay; site of Brown University