adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of astute
First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin astūtus “shrewd, sly, cunning,” equivalent to astū- (stem of astus ) “cleverness” + -tus adjective suffix
Explanation
Someone who is astute is clever and has good judgment. The kid running around with a bucket stuck on his head? Not so astute. Astute (from Latin) is a formal and flattering adjective for someone with a good head on their shoulders. It differs from its synonym shrewd in placing less emphasis on hardheadedness than on sensitivity: we talk about a shrewd bargainer but an astute interpretation. Other synonyms are perceptive (emphasizing insight) and discerning (emphasizing an ability to distinguish).
Vocabulary lists containing astute
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Hamilton
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The thing about Lindsey, I always knew in his heart where he wanted to go, but he was a very astute politician to get there,” McCaul said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Loeb also noted the astute venture-capital investments Bankman-Fried made in companies including Anthropic and Cursor.
From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026
What I said in August: "This will be another season of stability for Fulham under the tactically astute Silva. Mid-table perhaps."
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
A woman named Evgenia Zabogonska emerges as one of the book’s most forceful protagonists, the theater’s lighting director who transforms into an astute, organized wartime leader.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Whether her outpouring in front of Czarnecki was the spontaneous result of having reached a breaking point or something more astute, she picked the right person to vent to.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
