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

Calling the event “horrific,” Daily Wire pundit Matt Walsh said, “The leader of the Catholic Church shouldn’t be anywhere near this nonsense.”

Read more on Salon

But let’s call it what it is: politicians and their pundits leveraging Hispanophobia for votes, influence and donations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Gerrard, speaking as a guest on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, said several former Manchester United and Liverpool players get on better now as pundits than they ever did as England team-mates.

Read more on BBC

Here any reliable pundit would counsel caution—it could all fall apart, joy may be premature.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Political rivals and pundits seized on the moment as evidence of a candidate struggling under scrutiny.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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