Judicious
/dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Judicious describes someone who uses good sense and careful thinking to make decisions. It means being wise and fair, choosing the best action after thinking about the possible results. People who are judicious avoid mistakes by considering all information.
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See It in Action
Showing good judgment or wisdom in decisions
- •She made a judicious choice to save money for emergencies.
- •The manager was judicious in giving tasks to the team.
- •It's judicious to read all instructions before starting.
Done with care and thought to avoid problems
- •A judicious use of resources helps the company grow.
- •They took a judicious approach to solving the conflict.
- •Judicious planning can prevent many mistakes.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "judicious" like "smart" or "careful," but more about making good choices, not just knowing facts
- ✓Picture a person holding a scale, balancing two options carefully before deciding
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you think twice before speaking or acting to avoid problems
- ✓Sounds like "judge-ish" → imagine a judge who thinks carefully before making a decision in court
- ✓Remember wise leaders or teachers who always give good advice because they think before acting
- ✓NOT like "careless" (acting without thought), judicious means thoughtful and careful
- ✓NOT like "quick" decisions, judicious decisions take time and thought
- ✓NOT like "lucky" (random success), judicious means success by careful planning and good sense
Try Other Words
- •Prudent: careful and sensible in making decisions (Use when emphasizing safety and avoiding risk)
- •Careful: paying attention to avoid mistakes (Use for general caution in actions)
- •Thoughtful: showing careful consideration of others or situations (Use when focusing on kindness or attention)
- •Sensible: showing good sense or judgment (Use for practical and reasonable decisions)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: From Latin "judic-" meaning "judge" + suffix "-ious" meaning "full of" or "having qualities of"
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin "judicium" meaning "judgment" or "decision"
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 1500s to describe good judgment or wise decisions
- •Modern usage: Used to describe choices, actions, or people that show careful thought and good sense
Reflect & Connect
•Can a decision be too judicious, or is it always good to think carefully before acting?
•How does being judicious help you in daily life and in important situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.She made a judicious decision because she ___ all the facts before choosing.
2.A judicious person usually avoids ___ risks without thinking.
3.Unlike quick choices, judicious decisions take ___ and careful thought.
4.Using money judiciously means spending it ___ and not wasting it.
5.The teacher praised his judicious use of time during the exam, meaning he ___ his time well.
6.When leaders are judicious, they ___ the effects of their actions on others.
7.If someone acts without thinking, they are not being judicious but rather ___ careless or rash.