Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment: The state of being wise, characterized by deep understanding and the ability to make sensible decisions.
   • The body of knowledge and principles that develops within a specified society or period: The accumulated philosophical or scientific learning of a culture or era.
   • The soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of such experience and knowledge: The quality of being prudent and sensible.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • With age comes wisdom. (Experience over time leads to good judgment.)
  • Ancient Greek wisdom has influenced Western thought for centuries. (The accumulated knowledge from ancient Greece has had a long-lasting impact.)
  • She had the wisdom to invest her money carefully. (She showed good sense in her financial decisions.)

Advanced Usage

• "Conventional wisdom": A generally accepted theory or belief.
  • The conventional wisdom was that the economy would improve quickly.
• "In his/her/their wisdom": Used, often ironically, to comment on a decision made by someone in authority.
  • The council, in its wisdom, decided to close the library.
• "Pearls of wisdom": Pieces of wise advice.
  • My grandfather was always ready to offer his pearls of wisdom.

Variants and Related Words

• Wise (adj): Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
  • That was a wise choice.
• Wisely (adv): In a way that shows experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
  • He wisely decided to save the document before the power went out.

Synonyms

• Sagacity: Keen mental discernment and good judgment.
• Prudence: The quality of being cautious and avoiding unnecessary risk.
• Discernment: The ability to judge well.

Related Phrases

• Wisdom tooth: The last molar tooth in humans, typically appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood.
  • I need to have my wisdom teeth removed.

Related Idioms

• "A word to the wise": A hint or brief piece of advice that a wise or intelligent person can understand and act on.
  • A word to the wise: always check the contract details.
• "Cut one's wisdom teeth": To gain experience and maturity.
  • He really cut his wisdom teeth managing that difficult project.

Noun

1. an Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC
2. the quality of being prudent and sensible
3. ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
4. the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight
5. accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment