nous

/naus/
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nous

She showed great social nous by smoothly resolving the awkward situation.

Definition

Noun 1. Common sense, practical intelligence, or good judgment: The ability to think and act in a sensible, reasonable, and practical way, especially in everyday situations. 2. (Philosophy) Mind, intellect, or reason: In philosophical contexts, the faculty of the mind responsible for thought, understanding, and intellect.

Usage and Examples
  • Common sense, practical intelligence:
    • She has great social nous and always knows the right thing to say.
    • You need a bit of nous to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.
  • (Philosophy) Mind or intellect:
    • The philosopher discussed the nature of the human nous.
    • For Aristotle, the nous was the highest part of the soul, capable of understanding abstract principles.
Advanced Usage and Notes
  • The philosophical meaning (mind, intellect) is formal and primarily used in academic or intellectual discussions.
  • The more common, everyday meaning (common sense, savvy) is often used in British English and is considered informal. It implies a natural, almost intuitive, practical wisdom.
  • It is typically used as an uncountable noun (e.g., "He has plenty of nous," not "He has many nouses").
Variants and Related Words
  • Noetic (adj): Relating to the intellect or mind.
    • The study focused on the noetic aspects of consciousness.
Synonyms
  • Common sense: Good sense and sound judgment in practical matters.
  • Savvy: Shrewdness and practical knowledge, especially in a particular field.
  • Gumption (informal): Initiative and resourcefulness.
  • Acumen: The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions.
  • Intellect (for the philosophical sense): The faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively.
Antonyms
  • Foolishness: Lack of good sense or judgment.
  • Ineptitude: Lack of skill or ability.
  • Stupidity: The quality of being stupid or unintelligent.
Idioms and Phrases
  • A lack of nous: Used to describe someone who is not sensible or practical.
    • His plan failed due to a complete lack of nous.
  • Business nous: Practical understanding and skill in commercial matters.
    • Her business nous turned the small startup into a success.
nous

She showed great social nous by smoothly resolving the awkward situation.

Noun
  1. that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason
    • his mind wandered
    • I couldn't get his words out of my head
  2. common sense
    • she has great social nous

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