adjective
provident
PRAH-vih-duhnt/ˈprɑːvɪdənt/
Careful in preparing for future needs or difficulties.
The provident woman stores food and emergency supplies for winter.
Etymology
“Seeing ahead” means anticipating wants before they arise. Provident describes someone who turns that foresight into careful preparation to meet future needs.
In context
former provident providers will be turned into drunks or day dreamers
More examples
- The provident gardener saves seeds for next year's planting.
- Her provident planning leaves enough firewood for the whole winter.
- A provident hiker carries extra food in case of delays.
Forms
provident
providently adverb — With careful preparation for future needs.
Similar words
- prudent
- Emphasizes sound judgment generally, not specifically preparation for future needs.
- foresighted
- Emphasizes anticipating future developments rather than making practical provision.
- thrifty
- Emphasizes avoiding waste, especially of money, rather than future preparation.