Nous

/naʊs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The faculty of the intellect or understanding; mental capacity.

His nous helped him solve complex problems quickly.

Common sense or practical intelligence.

You need a bit of nous to navigate the challenges of city life.

A person's ability to make good judgements.

Her nous in business negotiations earned her a lot of respect.

From Greek 'nous', meaning 'mind' or 'intellect'.

use your nous

to apply your intelligence or common sense.

it’s a matter of nous

it is a question of common sense or practical thinking.

intellect

The faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively.

wisdom

The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

insight

The capacity to gain an accurate understanding of someone or something.

Street smarts or practical intelligence.

You don't need a degree to succeed; just have some nous.

Shrewdness in understanding and judgment.

That deal required a lot of nous to pull off.