pundit

[puhn-dit]

noun

1. a learned person, expert, or authority.

   This pundit's formal instruction in history, philosophy, and political science prepared her for activism in many campaigns.

   Synonyms: savant, guru, sage

2. a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator.

   Opinions masquerade as news, while ill-informed pundits and vested interests cloud the issues and bend the truth into pretzels.

3. pandit.

pundit

/ ˈpʌndɪt /

noun

1. an expert

2. (formerly) a learned person

3. Also called: pandit. a Brahman learned in Sanskrit and, esp in Hindu religion, philosophy or law

Pronunciation Note

See tenet ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

• punditic adjective
• punditically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Hindi paṇḍit, from Sanskrit paṇḍita “learned man” (noun), “learned” (adjective); of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to prajñā́ “knowledge” ( pro ¹ ( def. ), know ¹ ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

C17: from Hindi pandit, from Sanskrit pandita learned man, from pandita learned

Example Sentences

Political rivals and pundits seized on the moment as evidence of a candidate struggling under scrutiny.

From Salon

And while that angered the pundits — and appeared to upset Pochettino too — it’s hard to argue with the results.

From Los Angeles Times

Plenty of Republican politicians and pundits have a lot of power while also being female.

From Salon

"He was very outspoken, very opinionated," says Match of the Day pundit Shay Given, the former Newcastle goalkeeper who Bellamy lined up with more than any other player during his career.

From BBC

That did not go unnoticed by Danny Murphy, who is a pundit on Sunday's Match of the Day.

From BBC

Related Words

• buff 
• cognoscenti 
• expert 
• intellectual 
• philosopher 
• professor 
• scholar 
• thinker