perspicacious

American  

[pur-spi-key-shuhs] / ˌpɜr spɪˈkeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning.

   to exhibit perspicacious judgment.

   Synonyms:

   penetrating, shrewd, acute, perceptive

   Antonyms:

   stupid, dull

2. Archaic. having keen vision.

---

perspicacious British  

/ ˌpɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs, ˌpɜːspɪˈkæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. acutely perceptive or discerning

2. archaic having keen eyesight

---

Other Word Forms

• perspicaciously adverb
• perspicaciousness noun
• perspicacity noun

Etymology

Origin of perspicacious

First recorded in 1610–20; perspicaci(ty) + -ous

Example Sentences

Graham Robb’s “The Discovery of Britain” is a magnificently personal and perspicacious guide through his homeland.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Smith has proven one of the most even-handed, perspicacious and insightful film critics out there.

From Fox News • Dec. 31, 2019

“Marona’s Fantastic Tale”: Whimsical and poignant, Anca Damian’s animated deep dive into the ruminations of a perspicacious dog stuns with mesmerizing design choices, an eclectic color palette and profound writing.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2019

But within these conventions, Coetzee is as perspicacious and erudite a guide as one could hope for.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2018

By then she had performed unfalteringly under the twins’ perspicacious scrutiny and had confounded all their expectations.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy