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

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

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

Related Words

• knowledgeable 
• literate 
• scholarly