perspicacious
Americanadjective
-
having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning.
to exhibit perspicacious judgment.
- Synonyms:
- penetrating, shrewd, acute, perceptive
-
Archaic. having keen vision.
adjective
-
acutely perceptive or discerning
-
archaic having keen eyesight
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of perspicacious
First recorded in 1610–20; perspicaci(ty) + -ous
Explanation
Perspicacious is an adjective that means "shrewd" and "wise." A perspicacious child can't be fooled when her parents try to keep a secret by talking in Pig Latin. The adjective perspicacious is a long word for a short definition: "keen" or "shrewd." This word is descended from the Latin word perspicere, which means "to look closely." In other words, if you look closely at something you are paying attention to it and know it well. A definition of perspicacious that is out of date but still relevant is "having keen eyesight" and people who can see clearly are also aware and attentive!
Vocabulary lists containing perspicacious
Common Senses: Spec, Spect, Spic ("Look")
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Leadership Vocabulary
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 15
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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.
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
The Institution congratulates you on your perspicacious find.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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.
