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Providence

PRO-vih-duhns

Providence (name) means Divine guidance or protective care, often attributed to God or fate. Example: “She thanked providence for her narrow escape.”

name
1
Divine guidance or protective care, often attributed to God or fate.
"She thanked providence for her narrow escape."
noun
1
Careful planning and management for the future; foresight and thrift.
"His providence in saving early paid off in retirement."

How to use Providence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGod's or fate's guiding hand over events, or more plainly, careful foresight in planning for the future.

Word forms

providences plural

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She thanked _____ for her narrow escape.

Etymology

From providence.

divine care fortune foresight

Related words

Rhymes for Providence

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Providence” mean?

The word “Providence” means divine guidance or protective care, often attributed to God or fate. In plain terms, god's or fate's guiding hand over events, or more plainly, careful foresight in planning for the future.

How do you pronounce “Providence”?

“Providence” is pronounced PRO-vih-duhns (/ˈpɹɑvɪdəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “Providence” in a sentence?

Here is “Providence” used in a sentence: “She thanked providence for her narrow escape.”

What part of speech is “Providence”?

Depending on how it is used, “Providence” can be a name and a noun.

Is “Providence” a common word?

“Providence” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Providence” have?

“Providence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: divine guidance or protective care, often attributed to God or fate.

What is the difference between Providence and fate?

Providence refers to divine guidance or protective care, often attributed to God, implying a benevolent guiding force. Fate is a more neutral or even impersonal concept, referring to events that are predetermined without necessarily implying divine benevolence.

What does 'providence' mean outside a religious context?

Outside religion, providence can mean careful planning and management for the future, including foresight and thrift. In this sense, someone described as showing providence is being prudent and forward-thinking with resources.

Why is Providence sometimes capitalized?

Providence is capitalized when it refers to divine guidance or care attributed to God, treating it almost as a proper name for that guiding force. It is typically lowercase when used to mean general foresight or careful planning.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary