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
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 2
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Hamilton
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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.
His astute handling of the October 1987 stock market crash, which saw more than 30% wiped off share prices, earned Greenspan many plaudits.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
Who knows: Maybe years from now, she’ll even make a touching, emotionally astute movie about it.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Loeb also noted the astute venture-capital investments Bankman-Fried made in companies including Anthropic and Cursor.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Hollub was regarded as a talented petroleum engineer but she was less astute as a financial manager.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 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.
