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noun A2 Elementary Common

wisdom

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Wisdom (noun) means the ability to use knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgements. Example: “It takes real wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay quiet.”

noun
1
The ability to use knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgements.
"It takes real wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay quiet."
"My grandmother's wisdom helped our family through many difficult choices."
"With age came the wisdom to avoid arguments that could not be won."
name
1
An English surname, likely originating as a nickname for a wise or learned person.
"Wisdom is an uncommon but genuine English surname."
Easily confused with
wise →
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It takes real _____ to know when to speak and when to stay quiet.

Etymology

Developed from Middle English wisdom, from Old English wīsdōm, meaning 'wisdom', from Proto-West Germanic *wīsadōm, from Proto-Germanic *wīsadōmaz, meaning 'wisdom', corresponding to wise plus -dom. It is cognate with Scots wisdom or wysdom ('wisdom'), West Frisian wiisdom ('wisdom'), Dutch wijsdom ('wisdom'), German Weistum ('legal sentence'), Danish, Norwegian and Swedish visdom ('wisdom'), and Icelandic vísdómur ('wisdom').

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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sagacity insight prudence judgement discernment soundness sapience wiseness

Antonyms

folly

Related words

care mind sense knowledge opinion taste discrimination judgment

Frequently asked questions

What does “Wisdom” mean?
The word “Wisdom” means an English surname, likely originating as a nickname for a wise or learned person.
How do you use “Wisdom” in a sentence?
Here is “Wisdom” used in a sentence: “Wisdom is an uncommon but genuine English surname.”
What part of speech is “Wisdom”?
“Wisdom” is a name.
Is “Wisdom” a common word?
“Wisdom” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What kind of name is the surname Wisdom?
Wisdom is an English surname, likely originating as a nickname for a wise or learned person. Such descriptive nicknames often became fixed family names passed down through generations.
Is the surname Wisdom related to the common noun 'wisdom'?
Yes, the surname draws on the ordinary English word for sound judgement and deep understanding, applied as a nickname for someone thought wise or learned. Over time the descriptive label settled into an inherited family name.
What are common collocations for the word 'wisdom'?
As an everyday noun, 'wisdom' often appears in phrases such as 'words of wisdom', 'conventional wisdom', 'pearls of wisdom', and 'wisdom teeth'. These uses reflect the idea of accumulated good judgement or knowledge.

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