judicious
Americanadjective
-
using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic.
judicious use of one's money.
- Antonyms:
- imprudent
-
having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised.
a judicious selection of documents.
- Synonyms:
- considered, sagacious, sound, sober, reasonable, rational
- Antonyms:
- unreasonable, silly
adjective
Synonym Usage
See practical. See moderate. Judicious, judicial both refer to a balanced and wise judgment. Judicious implies the possession and use of discerning and discriminating judgment: a judicious use of one's time. Judicial has connotations of judgments made in a courtroom and refers to a fair and impartial kind of judgment: cool and judicial in examining the facts.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of judicious
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin jūdici(um) “judgment” ( see judge, -ium) + -ous; compare Italian giudizioso, French judicieux
Explanation
If you're judicious, you've got a good head on your shoulders and make good decisions. Humpty Dumpty's decision to sit on a wall? NOT judicious. As its sound implies, judicious comes from the same Latin word from which we get judge and judiciary, and not surprisingly a judicious decision is one that only comes after all sides have been weighed up and opposing points of view taken into consideration. Judicious decisions are never split-second decisions.
Vocabulary lists containing judicious
You Be the Judge: Jud, Jur, Jus
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The Pearl
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People who consider themselves middle class and above are still spending, but some say they are more judicious with their cash.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
“He was scrupulous about not interfering in editorial business, but if you turned to him for counsel, he invariably offered judicious advice,” she said in an obituary released Tuesday night by the Newhouse family.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
“It does intend to have adjudicators be more judicious in whether or not to have someone adjust their status” from within the country, said Eddie Raleigh, a partner at immigration law firm Fragomen.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
It flew in the face of the mantra of the “quiet professional” that suffused military culture, a kind of sober maturity that was critical to judicious use of deadly force.
From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026
I only have a limited amount of room in my laboratory chamber, so I have to be judicious about what samples I collect.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
