wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Example: "Her wisdom in making decisions has always impressed her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Grade was always less convinced of the need or wisdom of the move to Manchester and made little secret of his view that it would be the first casualty of a low licence fee settlement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, for the first time, Jobbik has made real inroads into the prosperous trans-Danubian regions, when the conventional wisdom held that the party would remain confined to eastern Hungary, the poorest part of the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not best served by Twitter tempests and Wikipedia wisdom.

The Guardian

And many have come to question the wisdom of apeing traditional magazine formats on tablets and smartphones.

The Guardian - Tech

These men have the wisdom of ages of Labour struggles against low pay, workplace intimidation and the evils of Thatcherism.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the outrage of their opponents, meanwhile, there are implied visions of Nazi bonfires and claims of a heart-stopping offence to age-old ideas about knowledge, wisdom and information.

The Guardian - Opinion

He describes the latter as "an incurious 'presentism' – combining a lack of historical sense, a pervasive contempt for the wisdom of the past, a fascination with novelty simply because it is new and a propensity to over-react to every ephemeral focus group finding or tabloid whim".

The Guardian - Opinion

Until the last few weeks the conventional wisdom in Washington, London and Arab capitals was that Isis had been forced on to the back foot, suffering from shortages of cash, weapons and problems of resupply, even if its morale was sustained by a slick propaganda machine that kept attracting recruits.

The Guardian

And indeed, that happened in both 2010 and again this year: the "wisdom" index outperformed the conventional final polls on both occasions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even when we tried to draw on the wisdom of three deeply experienced men who proffered policies that would put the issue beyond ugly politics, that too failed.

The Guardian

When Labour loses an election there is a tendency on the left to first indulge in the wisdom of hindsight, and then to project the party's failures eternally into the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wisdom" to denote a deep understanding of people, things, events, or measurements, often derived from experience.

Common error

Avoid using "wisdom" when you simply mean knowledge or information. "Wisdom" implies a deeper understanding and application of knowledge, not just its accumulation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wisdom" is that of a noun, referring to the quality of being wise or a piece of wise advice. It represents an abstract concept, as validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wisdom" functions primarily as a noun denoting sagacity and informed judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate it from mere knowledge. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, signifying its relevance across various communicative contexts. "Wisdom" carries connotations of experience and insightful understanding, making it a powerful term for conveying profound insight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sagacity

Implies a more experienced and discerning form of wisdom.

deep understanding

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of knowledge.

insight

Focuses on the depth of understanding and perception.

sound judgment

Focuses on the ability to make reasonable and well-considered decisions.

prudence

Highlights the practical application of wisdom in decision-making.

discernment

Emphasizes the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

profound knowledge

Highlights the depth and extent of acquired learning.

understanding

A more general term for grasping the nature of things.

shrewdness

Indicates cleverness and astuteness in practical matters.

enlightenment

Suggests a spiritual or intellectual awakening and understanding.

FAQs

How to use "wisdom" in a sentence?

"Wisdom" can be used to describe the quality of being wise, or a piece of advice. For example, "Her decisions reflected great wisdom" or "He shared words of wisdom with the younger generation."

What can I say instead of "wisdom"?

You can use alternatives like "sagacity", "insight", or "prudence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "wisdom" or "knowledge"?

"Wisdom" and "knowledge" are both correct, but they have different meanings. "Knowledge" refers to facts and information, while "wisdom" refers to the ability to use knowledge to make good decisions and judgments.

What's the difference between "wisdom" and "intelligence"?

"Intelligence" is the capacity for learning and understanding, while "wisdom" is the application of that understanding, often tempered by experience and judgment. One can be intelligent without being wise, and vice versa.