erudite

adjective

er·​u·​dite ˈer-ə-ˌdīt How to pronounce erudite (audio) ˈer-yə- How to pronounce erudite (audio)
: having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying : possessing or displaying erudition
an erudite scholar
eruditely adverb

Did you know?

Erudite derives from Latin eruditus, the past participle of the verb erudire, meaning "to instruct." A closer look at that verb shows that it is formed by combining the prefix e-, meaning "missing" or "absent," with the adjective rudis, which means "rude" or "ignorant." (Rudis is also the source of the English word rude.) We typically use rude to mean "discourteous" or "uncouth" but it can also mean "lacking refinement" or "uncivilized." Taking these meanings into account, erudite stays true to its etymology: someone who is erudite has been transformed from a roughened or uninformed state to a polished and knowledgeable one through a devotion to learning.

Examples of erudite in a Sentence

He wasn't bashful about showing himself to be feverishly erudite, … terminally droll, and a wizard phrasemaker. Susan Sontag, New Yorker, 18 & 25 June 2001
… an engaging fellow: erudite, entertaining, intolerant of trendiness and fearlessly old-fashioned.  … He can turn a nice phrase, too. Mordecai Richler, Wall Street Journal, 2 May 1995
He was well read, especially in the works of Kipling, a field in which Violet could give him a game, and from time to time they would exchange erudite letters about Kipling characters. Anthony Powell, The Strangers All are Gone, 1982
the most erudite people in medical research attended the conference an erudite lecture on the latest discoveries in astronomy
Recent Examples on the Web In her erudite interdisciplinary study, Norton draws attention to the important roles played by animals during the early contacts between European settlers and the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Marcy Norton, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Birth was Boston — not the erudite one but a namesake village in upstate New York. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 For nearly 40 years, Grammer has played, rather to perfection, the ever erudite Frasier Crane, so in the public imagination, Grammer and Crane seem like one and the same. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 30 Nov. 2023 Hugo looks more tormented than erudite and very different from his typical portrayals. Grace Cote, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 For such an erudite citizenry with advanced degrees – the late, celebrated novelist David Foster Wallace once called Claremont home –the town comes up short on book-selling. Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2024 Lawrence Sumulong Ellams’s welcoming, soft-spoken, ultra-casual manner could fool you into thinking this is his always-vibe — but Search Party is clearly the work of an immensely erudite, multifaceted, and busy artist working in an intentionally flexible, low-key mode. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Jan. 2024 Read More Daryl McCormack in The Lesson, a stylish, erudite thriller opening in theaters July 7. Town & Country, 13 June 2023 Gaston-Louis Vuitton ran the eponymous label for more than 50 years and is best remembered as an erudite inventor and discerning collector. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erudite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English erudit, from Latin eruditus, from past participle of erudire to instruct, from e- + rudis rude, ignorant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of erudite was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Erudite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erudite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

erudite

adjective
er·​u·​dite ˈer-(y)ə-ˌdīt How to pronounce erudite (audio)
: having or showing erudition
eruditely adverb

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