Nous
noun
The ability to use your brain to understand and learn things or make decisions.
He showed great nous in solving the problem.
Often appears as...
- show great nous
- demonstrate nous
noun
In ancient philosophy, it is the part of the human mind that is responsible for thinking and understanding.
Ancient philosophers often debated the nature of the nous.
Often appears as...
- nature of the nous
- understanding the nous
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The ability to use your brain to understand and learn things or make decisions.
He showed great nous in solving the problem.
Often appears as...
- show great nous
- demonstrate nous
noun
In ancient philosophy, it is the part of the human mind that is responsible for thinking and understanding.
Ancient philosophers often debated the nature of the nous.
Often appears as...
- nature of the nous
- understanding the nous
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Problem Solving
Use 'nous' to praise someone's practical intelligence or skill in resolving issues.
She navigated the negotiations with impressive nous.
Pro Tip 2/3Decision Making
'Nous' highlights a person's sharp capacity to make sound decisions, often in a business setting.
The manager's nous saved the company from making a poor investment.
Pro Tip 3/3Discovering Potential
'Nous' can imply that someone has untapped or emerging potential in understanding or learning.
The young coder exhibited a remarkable nous for programming.
Pro Tip 1/3Problem Solving
Use 'nous' to praise someone's practical intelligence or skill in resolving issues.
She navigated the negotiations with impressive nous.
Pro Tip 2/3Decision Making
'Nous' highlights a person's sharp capacity to make sound decisions, often in a business setting.
The manager's nous saved the company from making a poor investment.
Pro Tip 3/3Discovering Potential
'Nous' can imply that someone has untapped or emerging potential in understanding or learning.
The young coder exhibited a remarkable nous for programming.
Pro Tip 1/3Problem Solving
Use 'nous' to praise someone's practical intelligence or skill in resolving issues.
She navigated the negotiations with impressive nous.
Pro Tip 2/3Decision Making
'Nous' highlights a person's sharp capacity to make sound decisions, often in a business setting.
The manager's nous saved the company from making a poor investment.
Pro Tip 3/3Discovering Potential
'Nous' can imply that someone has untapped or emerging potential in understanding or learning.
The young coder exhibited a remarkable nous for programming.
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Video examples
Chrystia Freeland: The...
Imagine you're a brilliant entrepreneur who has successfully sold that idea or that product to the global billions and become a billionaire in the process. It gets tempting at that point to use your economic nous
Video examples
Chrystia Freeland: The...
Imagine you're a brilliant entrepreneur who has successfully sold that idea or that product to the global billions and become a billionaire in the process. It gets tempting at that point to use your economic nous
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Johnny Marr
English Musician
I can show bands how to produce themselves. In the same way, many bands think you can't make it without some fat cat in London or New York to manage you. That's just crap. All you need is someone a bit older than you with a bit of business nous whom you trust.
Quote examples
Jo Swinson
British Politician
Having studied politics doesn't necessarily give you political nous.
Quote examples
Johnny Marr
English Musician
I can show bands how to produce themselves. In the same way, many bands think you can't make it without some fat cat in London or New York to manage you. That's just crap. All you need is someone a bit older than you with a bit of business nous whom you trust.
Quote examples
Jo Swinson
British Politician
Having studied politics doesn't necessarily give you political nous.
Example 1 of 2
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