erudite

[er-yoo-dahyt, er-oo-]

adjective

1. characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly.

   an erudite professor; an erudite commentary.

   Synonyms: sapient, wise, knowledgeable, educated

erudite

/ ˌɛrʊˈdɪʃən, ˈɛrʊˌdaɪt /

adjective

1. having or showing extensive scholarship; learned

Other Word Forms

• eruditely adverb
• eruditeness noun
• nonerudite adjective
• noneruditely adverb
• noneruditeness noun
• unerudite adjective
• erudition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of erudite¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin ērudītus, equivalent to ērud(ē)- ( ē- intensive prefix + rud- “unformed, rough, rude”) + -ītus adjective suffix; e- ¹, rude, -ite ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of erudite¹

C15: from Latin ērudītus, from ērudīre to polish, from _ex- ¹ + rudis unpolished, rough

Example Sentences

You just think he’s British, so there’s that element to it where there’s something erudite or aloof about many of the androids.

From Salon

And Stella's wise, considered, calm, erudite, thoughtful leadership has had a powerful effect on the team in a number of ways, including its inclusive culture.

From BBC

These posts delivered a snapshot of his worldview in this period: idiosyncratic, erudite and angry with little room for moderation.

From Salon

The Scripps National Spelling Bee, the annual competition that challenges erudite children and teenagers to spell some of the most obscure entries in the dictionary, will begin its final round on Thursday.

From New York Times

Shivkumar is a big thinker, an erudite physician quick with an apt quotation, whose Westwood office is stacked with Sanskrit volumes of the Mahabharata alongside books about late Bruins basketball coach John Wooden.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• knowledgeable 
• literate 
• scholarly