If you describe someone as astute, you think they show an understanding of behaviour and situations, and are skilful at using this knowledge to their own advantage.
She was politically astute.
He made a series of astute business decisions.
Synonyms: intelligent, politic, bright, sharp More Synonyms of astute
astutelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
It soon became clear that they had chosen astutely.
astutenessuncountable noun
With characteristic astuteness, he spoke separately to all those involved.
Synonyms: intelligence, knowledge, insight, cunning More Synonyms of astute
astute in British English
(əˈstjuːt)
adjective
having insight or acumen; perceptive; shrewd
Derived forms
astutely (asˈtutely)
adverb
astuteness (asˈtuteness)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin astūtus cunning, from astus (n) cleverness
astute in American English
(əˈstut; əˈstjut)
adjective
having or showing a clever or shrewd mind; cunning; crafty; wily
SIMILAR WORDS: shrewd
Derived forms
astutely (asˈtutely)
adverb
astuteness (asˈtuteness)
noun
Word origin
L astutus < astus, craft, cunning
Examples of 'astute' in a sentence
astute
He also makes astute observations about his colleagues at the department of trade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We will look to be more tactically astute.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She offers many snippets of keen and astute observation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She wants to be seen as an astute businesswoman.
The Sun (2010)
Local government experts hailed the move as politically astute.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
An astute businessman looking to invest in a football club had to notice the opportunity presented.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The politically astute know all about the importance of reputation management.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
To all those critics who claimed he was not tactically astute enough.
The Sun (2013)
The more pertinent question is whether it would be politically astute to do so.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So which brother is the most tactically astute?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Has liberal views and is politically astute.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Buying woodland is becoming an increasingly astute move for people wishing to find a haven for their cash.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But both players are tactically astute.
The Sun (2009)
The text rattles along entertainingly, powered by some astute observations.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She has since proved herself an astute businesswoman capable of earning up to 2.5m a year.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was an astute businessman, yet was most comfortable in the company of intellectuals.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's an astute move to step back behind the camera.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In football anything is possible if you play organised, disciplined and tactically astute football.
The Sun (2006)
The incomes are good and astute investors are now locking in for the long term with five-year deals.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's an astute observation: hard work it has certainly been.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Plus, of course, you need to be a profoundly astute businessman.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In one case cited, astute investors could return five times their money by 2012 without needing to go near a field.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It was a politically astute move: a way of keeping out of trouble at a time when the King and his heir were at odds.
Christina Hardyment Malory: The Life and Times of King Arthur's Chronicler (2005)
In other languages
astute
British English: astute ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as astute, you think they show an understanding of behaviour and situations.
She was politically astute.
American English: astute
Brazilian Portuguese: astuto
Chinese: 精明的
European Spanish: astuto
French: futé
German: scharfsinnig
Italian: scaltro
Japanese: 機敏な
Korean: 기민한
European Portuguese: astuto
Latin American Spanish: astuto
Chinese translation of 'astute'
astute
(əsˈtjuːt)
adj
[person, decision]精明的 (jīngmíng de)
(adjective)
Definition
quick to notice or understand
He made a series of astute business decisions.
Synonyms
intelligent
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
politic
bright
I was convinced that he was brighter than average.
sharp
He is very sharp and swift with repartee.
keen
a person of keen intellect
calculating
He is a cool, calculating and clever criminal.
clever
My sister has always been the clever one in our family.
subtle
He is a subtle character, you know.
penetrating
a penetrating mind
knowing
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
cunning
He's a cunning, devious, good-for-nothing so-and-so.
discerning
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
sly
He is devious, sly and manipulative.
on the ball (informal)
canny
He was far too canny to risk giving himself away.
perceptive
a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth
wily
He is an experienced and wily old statesman.
crafty
That crafty old devil had taken us all for a ride.
artful
the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful
insightful
She offered some really insightful observations.
foxy
He had wary, foxy eyes.
adroit
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
sagacious (formal)
a wise and sagacious leader
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adroit
Definition
quick and skilful in how one behaves or thinks
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
Synonyms
skilful,
able,
skilled,
expert,
bright,
clever,
tasty (British, informal),
apt,
cunning,
ingenious,
adept,
deft,
nimble,
masterful,
proficient,
artful,
quick-witted,
dexterous,
neat
in the sense of artful
Definition
cunning
the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful
Synonyms
cunning,
designing,
scheming,
sharp,
smart,
clever,
subtle,
intriguing,
tricky,
shrewd,
sly,
wily,
politic,
crafty,
foxy,
deceitful
in the sense of bright
I was convinced that he was brighter than average.