erudite

adjective

er·​u·​dite ˈer-ə-ˌdīt  ˈer-yə- 

: having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying : possessing or displaying erudition

an erudite scholar

eruditely adverb

Did you know?

Erudite derives from Latin eruditus, the past participle of the verb erudire, meaning "to instruct." A closer look at that verb shows that it is formed by combining the prefix e-, meaning "missing" or "absent," with the adjective rudis, which means "rude" or "ignorant." (Rudis is also the source of the English word rude.) We typically use rude to mean "discourteous" or "uncouth" but it can also mean "lacking refinement" or "uncivilized." Taking these meanings into account, erudite stays true to its etymology: someone who is erudite has been transformed from a roughened or uninformed state to a polished and knowledgeable one through a devotion to learning.

Synonyms

• educated
• knowledgeable
• learned
• lettered
• literate
• scholarly
• well-read

Examples of erudite in a Sentence

He wasn't bashful about showing himself to be feverishly erudite, … terminally droll, and a wizard phrasemaker. —Susan Sontag, New Yorker, 18 & 25 June 2001

… an engaging fellow: erudite, entertaining, intolerant of trendiness and fearlessly old-fashioned.  … He can turn a nice phrase, too. —Mordecai Richler, Wall Street Journal, 2 May 1995

He was well read, especially in the works of Kipling, a field in which Violet could give him a game, and from time to time they would exchange erudite letters about Kipling characters. —Anthony Powell, The Strangers All are Gone, 1982

the most erudite people in medical research attended the conference

an erudite lecture on the latest discoveries in astronomy

Recent Examples on the Web

Reading Sam’s bio simply doesn’t do such an erudite soul justice. —Sue Callaway, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024

The man who became Lewis’s chief rival was in many ways his opposite: Stokely Carmichael, an erudite and provocative exponent of Black Power. —Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

That naïveté is a boon for Father, a cagey and erudite man whose role at an energy company contributed to planetary disaster. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2024

There is particular sorrow in seeing erudite men indulge their own cruelty. —Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English erudit, from Latin eruditus, from past participle of erudire to instruct, from e- + rudis rude, ignorant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

erudite

adjective

er·​u·​dite ˈer-(y)ə-ˌdīt 

: having or showing erudition

eruditely adverb