noun
nous
nows
noun
1
Practical common sense; the ability to think and act sensibly.
"He had the nous to check the weather before setting off up the mountain."
"It doesn't take much nous to see the deal was too good to be true."
How to Use Nous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStreet smarts or good judgement — knowing what to do in practical situations.
When to use it
Mainly British and informal; rare in American English.
Common pairings
common nous
have the nous to
business nous
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He had the _____ to check the weather before setting off up the mountain.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek nous, meaning "mind" or "intellect."