erudite

adjective

er·u·dite ˈer-ə-ˌdīt

ˈer-yə-

Synonyms of erudite next

: having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying : possessing or displaying erudition

an erudite scholar

eruditely adverb

Did you know?

Erudite derives 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." (Rudis is also the source of the English word rude.) We typically use rude to mean "discourteous" or "uncouth" but it can also mean "lacking refinement" or "uncivilized." Taking these meanings into account, erudite stays true to its etymology: someone who is erudite 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

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Sherwood is an eloquent writer and an erudite historian, and the photography is excellent too. —

Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024 Everett arranges the resulting fragments into a grim picture: The folksy charm of Jim, Huck Finn’s loyal traveling companion on the run from slavery, is replaced with the devilish wit of James, a serious, erudite man making tough choices in deadly situations. —

The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024 Photo : Chris Tedesco Best Entry-Level: Acura Integra Type S If Honda’s Civic Type R is a track-shredding front-wheel drive monster, the Acura Integra Type S is its more sophisticated, comfortable, and generally erudite cousin. —

Kyle Hyatt, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2024 Probably not the kind of erudite matter that the parties wish to get mired in. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for erudite