Meaning & use
sagacity
Last updated
UK/səˈɡæsɪti/
US/səˈɡæsəti/
Meaning
noununcountable
Deep practical wisdom and good judgment, especially the ability to see what is best to do in a tricky situation.
Grammar: Has no plural: she showed great sagacity, not 'sagacities'.
Patterns
- the sagacity to do something
- show sagacity
- sagacity in something
The old judge was admired for her sagacity.
He had the sagacity to sell before prices fell.
Years of travel gave the sailor a quiet sagacity.
Common combinations
- political sagacity
- The senator was known for her political sagacity.
- show sagacity
- The young treasurer showed sagacity in handling the debt.
- with sagacity
- The elder spoke with sagacity and calm.
- business sagacity
- Her business sagacity turned a small shop into a chain.
- the sagacity to do
- He lacked the sagacity to see the trap.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wisdom
- Wisdom is the everyday word and covers deep understanding generally, while sagacity stresses sharp practical judgment.
- shrewdness
- Shrewdness often suggests cleverness in getting an advantage, while sagacity sounds more dignified and thoughtful.
- discernment
- Discernment is the skill of seeing differences in quality, while sagacity is wider and about making sound decisions.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
What does sagacity mean in: 'The captain's sagacity saved the crew from the storm'?
Choose one answer.
Sagacity is sound, practical judgment. The captain's wise decisions saved the crew, not strength or luck.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sagacity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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