astute

UK: /əˈstjuːt/

US: /əˈstut, əˈstjut/

US: (ə sto̅o̅t′, ə styo̅o̅t′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

as•tute /əˈstut, əˈstyut/   adj. 

1. very perceptive;
   wise:
   an astute analysis of our problems.
2. crafty;
   quick to see an advantage:
   an astute politician.

as•tute•ly, adv. 
as•tute•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

as•tute  (ə sto̅o̅t′, ə styo̅o̅t′), adj. 

1. of keen penetration or discernment;
   sagacious:
   an astute analysis.
2. clever;
   cunning;
   ingenious;
   shrewd:
   an astute merchandising program; an astute manipulation of facts.

• Latin astūtus shrewd, sly, cunning, equivalent. to astū- (stem of astus) cleverness + -tus adjective, adjectival suffix
• 1605–15

as•tute′ly, adv. 
as•tute′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. smart, quick, perceptive.
• 2. artful, crafty, wily, sly.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

astute / əˈstjuːt/ adjective

1. having insight or acumen; perceptive; shrewd

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin astūtus cunning, from astus (n) cleverness

asˈtutely adverb

asˈtuteness noun