nous
noun/naʊs/
/naʊs/
[uncountable] (British English, informal)- intelligence and the ability to think and act in a practical way synonym common sense
- None of them had the nous to shut the door when the fire started.
Extra Examples- At least she had the nous to keep back a bit of her money.
- I'm not sure he has the political nous to get his point across.
- If they ask some tricky questions just use your nous.
Word Originlate 17th cent. (originally referring to the mind or intellect in philosophy): from Greek, ‘mind, intelligence, intuitive apprehension’.
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nous