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erudite

adjective
er·​u·​dite | \ ˈer-É™-ËŒdÄ«t How to pronounce erudite (audio) , ˈer-yÉ™- How to pronounce erudite (audio) \

Definition of erudite

: having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying : possessing or displaying erudition an erudite scholar
Other Words from erudite Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about erudite

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Other Words from erudite

eruditely adverb

Did You Know?

Erudite derives via Middle English "erudite" from Latin eruditus, the past participle of the verb erudire, meaning "to instruct." A closer look at that verb shows that it is formed by combining the prefix e-, meaning "missing" or "absent," with the adjective "rudis," which means "rude" or "ignorant" and is also the source of our word rude. We typically use the word rude to mean "discourteous" or "uncouth" but it can also mean "lacking refinement" or "uncivilized"; someone who is erudite, therefore, has been transformed from a roughened or uninformed state to a polished and knowledgeable one through a devotion to learning.

Examples of erudite in a Sentence

He wasn't bashful about showing himself to be feverishly erudite,  … terminally droll, and a wizard phrasemaker. — Susan Sontag, New Yorker, 18 & 25 June 2001 … an engaging fellow: erudite, entertaining, intolerant of trendiness and fearlessly old-fashioned.  … He can turn a nice phrase, too. — Mordecai Richler, Wall Street Journal, 2 May 1995 He was well read, especially in the works of Kipling, a field in which Violet could give him a game, and from time to time they would exchange erudite letters about Kipling characters. — Anthony Powell, The Strangers All are Gone, 1982 the most erudite people in medical research attended the conference an erudite lecture on the latest discoveries in astronomy
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Capone was a criminal mastermind in terms of gangland activities, but Remus was actually an erudite and fairly intellectual guy. — Angela Serratore, Smithsonian, "The Bootleg King and the Ambitious Prosecutor Who Took Him Down," 1 Aug. 2019 Often the ten-headed king is deemed erudite, just, an able administrator, and an excellent musician—an ancient string-instrument, the Ravana Hattha, is considered his invention. — Harish C Menon, Quartz India, "Sri Lanka’s first ever satellite is named after the ultimate villain of Hindu mythology," 19 June 2019 His interviewing elicited answers beyond boilerplate, with short and erudite follow-up comments moving the discussion forward, offering candid insights. — David Royko, chicagotribune.com, "Spreading joy: Andrew Patner’s CSO coverage collected in new book," 18 June 2019 An unlikely modern conqueror is making his case to join Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon on the list of erudite exterminators. — Gregg Opelka, WSJ, "Putin’s Less-Than-Epic Mueller Retort," 7 May 2019 One of the most trafficked subreddits of all is r/SkincareAddiction (ScA), home to nearly a million skin-care fans — fervent, erudite, hyaluronic-thirsty fans. — Brennan Kilbane, Allure, "A Comprehensive Guide to the SkincareAddiction Subreddit," 5 Apr. 2019 Abrams manages, however, to be both erudite and endearing. — Brittney Cooper, Marie Claire, "Stacey Abrams Is Just Getting Started," 11 Mar. 2019 Marco Zanini, the erudite and talented Italian designer, is launching his own label, Zanini, this coming Milan Fashion Week. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, "Marco Zanini Is Going to Launch His Own Label—Finally, Some Good News," 28 Jan. 2019 And so is an erudite, closely reasoned defense of those ideas: An apostle can help explain a messiah. — Andrew Stuttaford, WSJ, "‘Marx and Marxism’ and ‘A World to Win’ Review: Better Dead Than Read," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'erudite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of erudite

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for erudite

Middle English erudit, from Latin eruditus, from past participle of erudire to instruct, from e- + rudis rude, ignorant

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More Definitions for erudite

erudite

adjective
How to pronounce erudite (audio) How to pronounce erudite (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of erudite

: having or showing knowledge that is learned by studying

See the full definition for erudite in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on erudite

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for erudite

Spanish Central: Translation of erudite

Nglish: Translation of erudite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of erudite for Arabic Speakers

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