Provident Meaning
/ˈpɹɒvɪdənt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPossessing, exercising, or demonstrating great care and consideration for the future.
adjShowing care in the use of something (especially money or provisions), so as to avoid wasting it.
Sentence Examples
It is wise to be provident and save money for a rainy day.
The provident farmer always kept a supply of extra grain.
Being provident, he saved a portion of his income every month.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ couple always set aside part of their salary for unexpected expenses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ person saves money regularly and plans carefully for unexpected expenses in the future.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English provident, from Latin prōvidēns, prōvidentis, present participle of prōvideō (“to foresee; to be cautious; to provide”): compare French provident. By surface analysis, provide + -ent. Doublet of prudent.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I saw your brother,
Most provident in peril, bind himself,
Courage and hope both teaching him the practise,
To a strong mast that lived upon the sea;"
— c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
"Since then that all kinde of Gaming serues but as gulphes to deuoure the substances of men, and to swallow them vp in beggerie, my counsell is vtterly either to refraine such pastimes, or if men are of such spirits that they must needes venture their money, then to be very prouident how they play, and to be choise of their company."
— 1608, Thomas Dekker, “Vincents Law”, in Nathaniell Butter, editor, The Belman of London, London:
"[…] I have toiled on through eighteen years of wearisome adventure: crown’d with success, I now at length return, and find my daughter all my fondest hope could represent; but past experience makes me provident; I would secure my treasure; I would bestow it now in faithful hands—What say you, Sir, will you accept the charge?"
— 1772, Richard Cumberland, edited by W. Griffin, The Fashionable Lover, London, act 5, page 61:
"She had forgotten her purse, she said, and was obliged to borrow from the more provident Molly, who was aware that the round game of which Miss Browning had spoken to her was likely to require money."
— 1865, Elizabeth Gaskell, “Chapter 21”, in Wives and Daughters:
"Provident junkies, known as squirrels, keep stashes against a bust."
— 1962 [1959], William S. Burroughs, Naked Lunch, New York: Grove Press, page 9:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ couple always set aside part of their salary for unexpected expenses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ person saves money regularly and plans carefully for unexpected expenses in the future.