erudition
Americannoun
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.
Synonym Usage
See learning.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of erudition
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ērudītiōn- (stem of ērudītiō ) “an instruction.” See erudite, -ion
Explanation
If you've read shelves of thick books, people might describe you as a person of erudition. You might find erudition to be its own reward, but if you can make a career of it, even better! The Latin root of erudition is the verb erudire which means "to teach or train." By showing erudition, you show that you've learned a lot. If you write with erudition, your readers will know that you are a serious scholar, as long as you're not too far over their heads.
Vocabulary lists containing erudition
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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Great Expectations
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Spier reviews his portfolio with an erudition that comes from an investor whose clock is ticking.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
Being so multivarious in its effects and all but ubiquitous in human history, wind is a convenient vehicle for a writer known for charming prolixity and relaxed erudition.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
“So, we thought Justice Chandrachud would use his erudition and brilliant mind to do a lot of good for the citizens. But he has been disappointing,” she said.
From BBC • Nov. 11, 2024
Solomon, not well-known today, was a Harvard-educated bon vivant known for his erudition in new art’s European history.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2024
There are several striking features about Vergil’s display of erudition.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
