adjective
Uncommon
astute
uhs-TYOOT
Astute (adjective) means Quick to notice things and judge situations accurately; sharp-witted. Example: “She made an astute observation about the company's finances.”
adjective
1
Quick to notice things and judge situations accurately; sharp-witted.
"She made an astute observation about the company's finances."
"An astute investor spotted the flaw in the pitch immediately."
2
Shrewd or cunning, especially in getting what you want.
"It was an astute move to negotiate before signing anything."
How to use astute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSharp, perceptive, and quick to work out what's really going on.
Common mistake
Astute is a compliment for sharpness of judgment, not just being smart in general — it implies noticing something others missed.
Common pairings
an astute observation
an astute businessman
astute enough to
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Word forms
- Comparative
- astuter
- Superlative
- astutest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She made an _____ observation about the company's finances.
Etymology
From Latin astutus ("crafty"), from astus ("craft, skill").
Related words
Rhymes for astute
See all rhymes for astute →Frequently asked questions
What does “astute” mean?
The word “astute” means quick to notice things and judge situations accurately; sharp-witted. In plain terms, sharp, perceptive, and quick to work out what's really going on.
How do you pronounce “astute”?
“Astute” is pronounced uhs-TYOOT (/əsˈtjuːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “astute” in a sentence?
Here is “astute” used in a sentence: “She made an astute observation about the company's finances.”
What is another word for “astute”?
Words with a similar meaning to “astute” include crafty, shrewd, wily and knowing.
What part of speech is “astute”?
“Astute” is an adjective.
Where does the word “astute” come from?
The word “astute” comes from Latin. From Latin astutus ("crafty"), from astus ("craft, skill").
Is “astute” a common word?
“Astute” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “astute” have?
“Astute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: quick to notice things and judge situations accurately; sharp-witted.
