SportsJuly 18, 2026

nous

/naʊs/

Definition

Practical common sense, sound judgment, or shrewdness, especially in navigating complex situations.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'nous,' meaning 'mind' or 'intellect.' It entered English via British slang in the 18th century, evolving to describe a specific kind of sharp, practical street-smarts or sound judgment.

In the news

The term refers to the tactical intelligence and managerial wisdom Tuchel was expected to bring to the England squad as a 'knockout specialist' to help them win major tournaments.

France vs England: Why World Cup third-place play-off is huge for Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel

Read the full article ↗

Sky Sports

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.

Not for marketing. One email on launch day.