'imprudent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'imprūdēns,' where 'im-' meant 'not' and 'prūdēns' meant 'foreseeing, wise.'

'imprūdēns' transformed into the French word 'imprudent,' and eventually became the modern English word 'imprudent' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not foreseeing or wise,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.