sagacity

Everyday

(formal) Wisdom and good judgement; the ability to understand things and make good decisions. tree →

In the lessons

A formal, grand word. In The Wind in the Willows the Badger is the wise animal whose sagacity the others trust. Fables praise the sagacity of the owl or the elephant. In exam writing, «sagacity» is a strong word for «wisdom».

Examples

• The old Badger was known for his sagacity. tree →
• The judge showed great sagacity in her decision. tree →
• Owls are often shown as birds of sagacity. tree →
• It needed sagacity to solve the riddle. tree →
• The king listened to the sagacity of his advisers. tree →
• Her sagacity helped the team avoid a big mistake. tree →
• He then numbered off twenty-two of them, and put Eurylochus (who was one of his chief officers, and second only to himself in sagacity) at their head. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Adjective: sagacious. Close: wisdom, shrewdness. Related to «sage» (a wise person; also a herb – a different meaning).