erudition

American  

[er-yoo-dish-uhn, er-oo-] / ˌɛr yʊˈdɪʃ ən, ˌɛr ʊ- /

noun

1. knowledge acquired by study, research, etc.; learning; scholarship.

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Usage

What is erudition? Erudition is knowledge obtained through study or research, as in Students gain erudition through reading and studying. Erudition is similar to such words as knowledge, learning, or scholarship. However, erudition is often used to mean that a person specifically acquired some kind of profound knowledge by extensively reading books, researching reports, or studying manuscripts. For this reason, erudition is typically used to refer to knowledge of topics such as theology or linguistics rather than math or physical sciences.Erudition comes from the adjective erudite, which describes something that is full of knowledge or that is scholarly.Example: The monk was known for his wisdom and erudition, having read every book in the monastery’s 1,000-year-old library.

Related Words

See learning.

Other Word Forms

• eruditional adjective
• nonerudition noun

Etymology

Origin of erudition

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ērudītiōn- (stem of ērudītiō ) “an instruction.” See erudite, -ion

Example Sentences

With 67,000 subscribers in 166 countries and growing, the Lim sisters are mixing Gen Z humor and exuberance with astounding erudition to bring ballet to a new generation and fire up older, longtime fans.

From Los Angeles Times

As in the Habsburg monarchy at large, German was the fashionable common language of erudition, commerce and art.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spier reviews his portfolio with an erudition that comes from an investor whose clock is ticking.

From Barron's

Czech-born British playwright whose works were a rare combination of erudition and commercial success.

From BBC

Mr. Hunter writes with the heart of a poet, the erudition of a good critic and the idealism of an old-fashioned patriot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• refinement