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

Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy suggested that lawmakers could act to close the loophole in this exact way.

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South Africa hammered Ireland in the scrum, leading many pundits to question how other sides can even get close to nullifying their forward power.

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"I've got great family, great friends, brilliant colleagues from reporters to pundits to commentators but my kids are my world and I had to tell them," he said.

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I watch a lot of post-match analysis where pundits proclaim after the event what is right with the winning team and wrong with the losing one.

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India's ploy to have a turning pitch at Eden Gardens has met with severe criticism from pundits after the hosts faltered badly in their chase.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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