Word
erudite
Phoneticseru·dite
US/ˈɛɹəˌdaɪt/
UK/ˈɛɹuːdˌaɪt/
Definition
adj. having or showing a lot of knowledge, especially about books and history. You use this to describe someone who is very well-read and smart.
adj. possessing or displaying great knowledge, especially in books and literature. Often used to describe a person's intellectual depth or the quality of their writing.
Examples
“The professor gave an erudite lecture on ancient history.”
“Despite his erudite appearance, he was surprisingly easy to talk to and never used big words to impress others.”
“The novel is celebrated for its erudite prose, which seamlessly weaves classical references into the narrative without ever feeling forced or pedantic.”
Examples
simple
“The professor gave an erudite lecture on ancient history.”
contextual
“Despite his erudite appearance, he was surprisingly easy to talk to and never used big words to impress others.”
complex
“The novel is celebrated for its erudite prose, which seamlessly weaves classical references into the narrative without ever feeling forced or pedantic.”
Real-World Examples
“During the pandemic Kohler delighted audiences with a quirky home-based TV set he decorated with an ever-changing erudite pile of books and a single house plant.” “Her writing is threaded with erudite signifiers and high-minded conversation, but there’s nothing pretentious about it.” “The professor was admired for her erudite lectures and thoughtful explanations.” “But he does get Dylan to talk about Cohen, and it’s no token pullquote, but rather paragraphs of erudite dissection, both technical and effusive.” Etymology
From Latin ērudītus, participle of ērudiō (“educate, train”), from e- (“out of”) + rudis (“rude, unskilled”). Doublet of erudit.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/erudite