What does "wisdom" mean?
An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
Wisdom
/ˈwɪzdəm/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
- Grammar: wisdom is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: discernment, insight, prudence, sagacity.
- Useful contrasts: asininities, bonehead, collective folly.
- Usage evidence: It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf.
How to use "wisdom"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "wisdom" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "wisdom" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "wisdom" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "wisdom" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "wisdom" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "discernment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "wisdom", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise. uncountable
- 2 the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight wordnet
- 3 A piece of wise advice. countable
- 4 the quality of being prudent and sensible wordnet
- 5 The discretionary use of knowledge for the greatest good. countable, uncountable
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight wordnet
- 7 The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations from that in which the knowledge was gained. countable, uncountable
- 8 accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment wordnet
- 9 The ability to make a decision based on the combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding. countable, uncountable
- 10 The ability to know and apply spiritual truths. countable, uncountable
"Wiſdom…is to a man an infinite Treaſure, for ſhe is the Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the Glory of the Almighty; ſhe is the Brightneſs of Eternal Light, and an undefiled Mirror of the Majeſty of God, and an Image of his Goodneſs; ſhe teacheth us Soberneſs and Prudence, Righteouſneſs and Strength; ſhe underſtands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark ſentences; ſhe foreknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what ſhall happen in time to come."
- 11 A group of wombats. countable, rare, uncountable
"It would also be difficult to get to the bottom line accurately if a wisdom of wombats ate your working papers. Both scenarios are equal in probability."
- 12 A group of owls. countable, rare, uncountable
"What he expected to find I cannot imagine , unless it was a wisdom of owls. What he did see and hear were telephones ringing, assistants answering them, getting up from their seats to take a book or a card from a file, returning[…]"
- 13 Ellipsis of wisdom tooth. abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, countable, ellipsis
"HAVING MY WISDOMS REMOVED"
Proper Noun
- 1 The Wisdom of Solomon, a book of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canon of the Old Testament, considered apocryphal by Protestants.
Antonyms
Example
"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "wisdom"?
Common synonyms include: discernment, insight, prudence, sagacity, sapience, wiseness.
How do you use "wisdom" in a sentence?
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf.
How do you pronounce "wisdom"?
Pronounced /ˈwɪzdəm/.
Etymology
From Middle English wisdom, from Old English wīsdōm (“wisdom”), from Proto-West Germanic *wīsadōm, from Proto-Germanic *wīsadōmaz (“wisdom”), corresponding to wise + -dom. Cognate with Scots wisdom, wysdom (“wisdom”), West Frisian wiisdom (“wisdom”), Dutch wijsdom (“wisdom”), German Weistum (“legal sentence”), Danish/Norwegian/Swedish visdom (“wisdom”), Icelandic vísdómur (“wisdom”).