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# astute

adjective (astute, more astute, most astute); adverb (astutely)

«astute» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Clever at understanding people and situations quickly, and using that to your advantage; sharp and shrewd. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#m1)

### In the lessons

In stories, an astute detective notices small clues; an astute businessperson spots a good deal. In the Just So Stories, some animals are astute, like the clever Cat who walks by himself and makes a bargain with the Woman. In exam and newspaper English, «an astute observation» means a sharp, wise remark.

### Examples

- That was an astute guess. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x1)
- The astute detective noticed the mud on the boots. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x2)
- Badger was an astute old animal who knew the weasels' tricks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x3)
- She made an astute choice and saved money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x4)
- An astute reader will spot the clue in chapter one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x5)
- The Cat was astute and made a clever bargain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x6)
- But Hermes, astute as he was dishonest, determined to test the shepherd's integrity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/#x7)

### Note

Use «an astute». Similar: shrewd, sharp, clever, canny. Slightly formal word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «astute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/astute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«astute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/astute.html) on Mova free.