astute — having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage; shrewd
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage; shrewd
Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈstut/
Example Sentences
- The astute detective noticed that the suspect's alibi had a tiny but crucial flaw.
- My astute grandmother always knows when I'm lying - she can spot my 'poker face' from a mile away!
- Her astute investment choices made her a millionaire before age 30.
astute
ADJECTIVE[/əˈstut/]
having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage; shrewd

The astute detective spotted the tiny clue everyone else missed.

AS(like) + TUTE(tutor) — stepping up to act AS a TUTEor for the confused adults, the little boy showed an incredibly astute mind.

Even though the security video was completely on mute, the astute detective easily read the criminal's lips to find the truth.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'astutus', meaning shrewd or clever, possibly derived from 'astus' meaning craft or cunning. The word entered English in the 16th century, maintaining its meaning of keen judgment and shrewdness.
Breakdown
Latin 'astutus' (shrewd, clever) - no productive morphemes in English, used as a whole borrowed adjective from Latin
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The astute detective noticed that the suspect's alibi had a tiny but crucial flaw.”
“My astute grandmother always knows when I'm lying - she can spot my 'poker face' from a mile away!”
“Her astute investment choices made her a millionaire before age 30.”
“The astute student realized the professor always asked questions from the last paragraph of each chapter.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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