ancient wisdom

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Knowledge, beliefs and good judgment passed down from people who lived a very long time ago, especially in old cultures and traditions.

   Grammar: Uncountable: there is much ancient wisdom in these stories, not many ancient wisdoms.

   Patterns

   • draw on ancient wisdom
   • ancient wisdom about something

   Many people turn to ancient wisdom when modern life feels too fast.

   The book gathers ancient wisdom about farming, health and friendship.

   She credits ancient wisdom from her grandmother's village for her calm approach to stress.

2. 2noununcountabledisapproving

   A claim that an old practice or belief must be correct because it is old, sometimes used to sell products.

   Grammar: Uncountable and often in quotation marks when doubtful: so-called ancient wisdom.

   Patterns

   • so-called ancient wisdom
   • sell something as ancient wisdom

   The label promised ancient wisdom, but the cream was just ordinary moisturizer.

   Not everything sold as ancient wisdom has been tested by science.

Common combinations

draw on ancient wisdom

The chef draws on ancient wisdom to preserve vegetables without a fridge.

timeless ancient wisdom

The poems offer timeless ancient wisdom about patience.

tap into ancient wisdom

The retreat promises to help guests tap into ancient wisdom.

a source of ancient wisdom

Proverbs are a source of ancient wisdom in many cultures.

ancient wisdom and modern science

The clinic blends ancient wisdom and modern science.

Synonyms and how they differ

folk wisdom

This refers to everyday knowledge shared by ordinary people, while ancient wisdom stresses great age and often written or spiritual traditions.

tradition

This covers any custom handed down over time, but it does not always mean valuable knowledge the way ancient wisdom does.

lore

This means a body of stories and knowledge on a subject, and it can sound more mythical than ancient wisdom.

Opposites

Word family

wise adjective

having good judgment gained from experience

wisely adverb

in a sensible, well-judged way

ancient adjective

belonging to a time very long ago

wisdom noun

deep knowledge and good judgment

Commonly confused: ancient wisdom or ancient history?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “ancient wisdom”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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