Added 10 October 2026
providence
/ˈpɹɒvɪdəns/ noun
Latin root: prōvidentia Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about providence at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Preparation for the future; good governance; foresight. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
- The careful governance and guidance of God (or another deity, nature, etc.).
- A manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention.
Origin
From Middle English providence, from Anglo-Norman providence, Middle French providence, and their source, Latin prōvidentia (“providence, foresight”), from the present participle of prōvidēre (“to provide”). By surface analysis, provide + -ence. Displaced native Old English foresċēawung.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)