Policy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpä-lə-sē/ pol·i·cy

Meaning & Definition of Policy

Policy (noun)

  1. prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs
  2. management or procedure based primarily on material interest
  3. a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions
  4. a document containing a contract of insurance
  5. a daily lottery in which participants bet that certain numbers will be drawn from a lottery wheel
  6. number

Policy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a way of acting or proceeding

    "it's always been my policy not to spread rumors"

    similar: course, line, methodology, procedure, program
    related: blueprint, design, plan, scheme, strategy, intent, intention, purpose, approach, direction, method, path, pathway, tack

  2. the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters

    "you should have exercised greater policy in your online relationships and not divulged so much personal information"

    similar: common sense, discreetness, discretion, gumption (chiefly dialect), horse sense, levelheadedness, nous (chiefly British), prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit
    related: street smarts, farsightedness, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethoughtfulness, judgment, brains, gray matter, intelligence, logicality, logicalness, practicality, rationality, rationalness, discernment, discrimination, insight, sagacity, sapience, acumen, astuteness, clearheadedness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, shrewdness, care, caution, circumspection, precaution, premeditation
    opposite: imprudence, indiscretion
    near: shortsightedness, brainlessness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, senselessness, stupidity, carelessness, heedlessness, unreasonableness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Policy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Policy:

Chiefly dialect: gumption
Chiefly British: nous
course, line, methodology, procedure, program, common sense, discreetness, discretion, horse sense, levelheadedness, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Policy

Words with the opposite meaning of Policy:

imprudence, indiscretion

Related Words for Policy

blueprint, design, plan, scheme, strategy, intent, intention, purpose, approach, direction, method, path, pathway, tack, street smarts, farsightedness, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethoughtfulness, judgment, brains, gray matter, intelligence, logicality, logicalness, practicality, rationality, rationalness, discernment

Near Antonyms of Policy

shortsightedness, brainlessness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, senselessness, stupidity, carelessness, heedlessness, unreasonableness

Word Forms of Policy

Inflections: policies

Origin & Etymology of Policy

Middle English policie, pollecye "art or practice of government, system of government, commonwealth, organization or conduct of affairs, practical skill, prudence," borrowed from Anglo-French policie, pollecie "governance, system of government" (Middle French also, "a political organization, the state, conduct, behavior"), borrowed from Late Latin polītīa "citizenship, political organization, government" police:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Policy

Words & Phrases Containing Policy

policy science, foreign policy, honesty is the best policy, insurance policy, public policy, policymaker, policymaking

Frequently Asked Questions about Policy

What does "Policy" mean?

"Policy" means prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs. As a noun, it is defined as: prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Policy"?

Other words for "Policy" include course, line, methodology, procedure, program, common sense, discreetness and discretion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Policy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Policy"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Policy". Common alternatives include course, line, methodology, procedure, program, common sense, discreetness, discretion, gumption and horse sense.

What is the opposite of "Policy"?

Antonyms of "Policy" include imprudence and indiscretion. Near antonyms include shortsightedness, brainlessness, foolishness and half-wittedness.

How do you use "Policy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Policy" in a sentence: "it's always been my policy not to spread rumors"; "you should have exercised greater policy in your online relationships and not divulged so much personal information".

Is "Policy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Policy" is a noun.

Is "Policy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Policy" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Policy"?

"Policy" is pronounced /ˈpä-lə-sē/ and divided into syllables as pol·i·cy.