What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thrift
Example
She was known for her thrift and never wasted anything. [thrift: noun]
Example
He lived a life of thrift and saved up enough money to buy a house. [thrift: adjective]
prudence
Example
It's important to exercise prudence when investing your money. [prudence: noun]
Example
She made a prudential decision to save her bonus instead of spending it all at once. [prudential: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thrift is more commonly used than prudence in everyday language. Thrift is a practical and tangible concept that people can relate to, while prudence may be seen as more abstract or philosophical.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between thrift and prudence?
Prudence is generally considered more formal than thrift. Prudence is often used in legal or business contexts, while thrift is more commonly used in everyday conversation.