pundit

[ puhn-dit ]

noun

1. a learned person, expert, or authority:

   This pundit's formal instruction in history, philosophy, and political science prepared her for activism in many campaigns.

   Synonyms: savant, guru, sage

2. a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator:

   Opinions masquerade as news, while ill-informed pundits and vested interests cloud the issues and bend the truth into pretzels.

3. pandit ( def ).

pundit

/ ˈpʌndɪt /

noun

1. an expert
2. (formerly) a learned person
3. Also calledpandit a Brahman learned in Sanskrit and, esp in Hindu religion, philosophy or law

Pronunciation Note

See tenet ( def ).

Other Words From

• pun·dit·ic [puhn-, dit, -ik], adjective
• pun·dit·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Hindi paṇḍit, from Sanskrit paṇḍita “learned man” (noun), “learned” (adjective); of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to prajñā́ “knowledge” ( pro ¹( def ), know ¹( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

C17: from Hindi pandit, from Sanskrit pandita learned man, from pandita learned

Example Sentences

This is also true in how the media class and pundits insist on viewing women as a unitary identity.

From Salon

He positioned himself as the man who wanted to take all the flak, to protect his players, and former players and pundits obliged.

From BBC

Many pundits thought that a candidate who ran the most racist campaign since George Wallace in 1968 couldn’t possibly move above a ceiling that would keep them far short of a majority.

From Salon

But there was one theory that Stewart took issue with: pundits stating that the Democrats lost because they had become “too woke.”

From Salon

Later that summer, she also debuted as Sky Sports' first woman football pundit.

From BBC

Related Words

• buff
• cognoscenti
• expert
• intellectual
• philosopher
• professor
• scholar
• thinker