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.

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perspicacious British  

/ ˌpɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs, ˌpɜːspɪˈkæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. acutely perceptive or discerning

2. archaic having keen eyesight

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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

Crewe is perspicacious about marriage and other partnerships, the rituals couples employ, for good and ill.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022

In the perspicacious documentary “Being BeBe,” the director Emily Branham seems to have taken a page from Janet Malcolm.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2022

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

From Fox News • Dec. 31, 2019

The Institution congratulates you on your perspicacious find.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly