astute
UK: əˈstjuːt | US: əˈstuːt
adj. having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people; shrewd
adj. cleverly perceptive or discerning
The word "astute" traces back to Latin astutus, meaning "clever" or "cunning," which itself comes from astus (craftiness). Over time, it evolved in English to describe sharp-wittedness and keen perception, shedding some of its earlier negative connotations of deceit. The morpheme "stute" retains the core idea of sharpness, while the prefix "a-" subtly intensifies the meaning.
The astute businessman quickly identified the market trend.
Her astute observations saved the team from a costly mistake.
An astute reader will notice the hidden symbolism in the novel.
The lawyer’s astute questioning revealed the witness’s inconsistency.
His astute investment decisions earned him significant profits.