highly knowledgeable and scholarly

erudite

adjective|/ˈer.ə.daɪt/

Showing great knowledge or learning

Examples

In a meeting

Her erudite presentation on market history impressed the entire board.

Over coffee

He's so erudite—he can discuss almost any topic with depth.

Why this word

knowledgeable

erudite specifically means having deep learning from extensive reading and study, while knowledgeable just means well-informed

educated

erudite implies profound scholarly learning and literary knowledge, while educated broadly means having received instruction

intelligent

erudite describes acquired scholarly knowledge displayed in discourse, while intelligent refers to mental capacity

Usage tip

Use to describe someone whose knowledge is both deep and broad, especially in scholarly areas. Implies formal learning, not just practical experience.

Etymology

Latin: eruditus (learned, instructed) from ex- (out) + rudis (rough, untaught)

Get a new word every morning

One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.

Related words