astute
playWhat It Means
Astute means "having or showing an ability to notice and understand things clearly"—in other words, "being mentally sharp or clever."
// The coach has proven to be an astute judge of talent during his career.
astute in Context
"In her new memoir, 'Both/And,' … [Huma Abedin] may be one of the most politically astute and well-traveled women in the world, but she portrays herself as far from worldly, at least in affairs of the heart." — Susan Dominus¸ The New York Times, 21 Nov. 2021
Did You Know?
Astute comes from the Latin noun astus, meaning "craft." The word implies being keenly observant and forming sound judgments based on knowledge and experience.
More Words of the Day
-
Dec 07
lachrymose
-
Dec 06
solace
-
Dec 05
abdicate
-
Dec 04
celerity
-
Dec 03
perceptible
-
Dec 02
gloaming