# prudent

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɹuːdənt/ · frequency rank #17,006

## Definitions
1. Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct.
2. Practically wise, judicious, shrewd.
3. Frugal, economical.

## Etymology
From Middle English prudent, from Old French prudent, from Latin prūdēns, contracted from prōvidēns (“foresight”) (English providence), the past participle of prōvideō (“I forsee”). Unrelated to prude. Doublet of provident.

## Easily confused with
- **prude** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prude-vs-prudent)
- **present** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/present-vs-prudent)
- **prevent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prevent-vs-prudent)
- **prudence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prudence-vs-prudent)

## Common misspellings (11)
`pprudent`, `prduent`, `prrudent`, `pruddent`, `prudennt`, `prudentt`, `prudetn`, `prudnet`, `pruednt`, `purdent`, `rpudent`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/prudent