sapient
adjective
sa·pi·ent ˈsā-pē-ənt 
ˈsa-
: possessing or expressing great sagacity
sapiently adverb
Did you know?
We human beings certainly like to think we’re wise. It’s a fact reflected in the scientific name we’ve given our species, Homo sapiens, which comes in part from the Latin word sapiens, meaning “wise” or “intelligent.” Sapient (which is basically just a fancy synonym of wise) has the same source. Both words ultimately trace to the Latin verb sapere, meaning “to be wise,” and also “to taste.” Other sapere words pepper the language as well, among them sage (as in “sage advice”), savant, savvy, and savor.
Examples of sapient in a Sentence
an uncle who is always good for valuable insights and some sapient advice
Recent Examples on the Web
Worthington referenced the Na’vi (The People), the sapient humanoids who inhabit the lush moon of Pandora in the films, in his message. —
Bruce Haring, Deadline, 7 July 2024 The Past The sapient paradox: With brains like ours, why did prehistoric humans wait millennia to start civilization? —Big Think, 24 June 2024 Which is why mildly sapient readers should be immediately skeptical. —John Tamny, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 Many wise and sapient social historians have written on the American cult, and invention, of the weekend. —Adam Gopnik, Town & Country, 29 May 2020 Of course, there is a chance that ours is the only sapient world in a vast and silent cosmos. —David Grinspoon, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bruce Haring, Deadline, 7 July 2024 The Past The sapient paradox: With brains like ours, why did prehistoric humans wait millennia to start civilization? —Big Think, 24 June 2024 Which is why mildly sapient readers should be immediately skeptical. —John Tamny, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 Many wise and sapient social historians have written on the American cult, and invention, of the weekend. —Adam Gopnik, Town & Country, 29 May 2020 Of course, there is a chance that ours is the only sapient world in a vast and silent cosmos. —David Grinspoon, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Sapient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/sapient. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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