Word of the Day

: December 30, 2021

astute

adjective uh-STOOT

What 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.

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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.