astute

Intermediatezipf 3.10

Pronunciation

/əˈstjuːt/(uh-STYOOT)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

精明的；敏锐的（善于判断形势并做出有利决策）

Definition

Having sharp judgment; able to accurately assess situations and use them to one's advantage.

Word family

  • astutely/əˈstjuːtli/(adv)精明地
  • astuteness/əˈstjuːtnəs/(n)精明

Collocations

  • astute observer
  • astute businessman
  • politically astute
  • astute judgment

Examples

  1. 1.She made an astute investment in the early stages of the startup. (shrewd)
  2. 2.He's politically astute — he always knows which way the wind is blowing. (perceptive)

Synonyms

  • shrewd/ʃruːd/— clever in practical matters
  • perceptive/pəˈsɛptɪv/— notices things others miss
  • savvy/ˈsævi/— informal, smart about practical things

Etymology

from Latin "astutus" = cunning — "astus" = craft/skill — craftily intelligent