[jquery] How do I add a simple jQuery script to WordPress?

In WordPress, the correct way to include the scripts in your website is by using the following functions.

wp_register_script( $handle, $src )
wp_enqueue_script( $handle, $src )

These functions are called inside the hook wp_enqueue_script.

For more details and examples, you can check Adding JS files in Wordpress using wp_register_script & wp_enqueue_script

Example:

function webolute_theme_scripts() {
    wp_register_script( 'script-name', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/example.js', array('jquery'), '1.0.0', true );
    wp_enqueue_script( 'script-name' );
}
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'webolute_theme_scripts' );