Is **erudite** formal or informal?

What's the difference between **erudite** and **intelligent**?

Can **erudite** describe a book or only a person?

Is **erudite** common in academic writing?

← Dictionary

erudite

/ˈer.ə.daɪt/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Having or showing great knowledge from study and reading.

She gave an **erudite** lecture on ancient philosophy.
**Erudite** readers enjoy complex historical texts.
His **erudite** essays are widely published.

Adinary Nuance

Compare erudite with learned, bookish, and scholarly. Use erudite for wide, deep reading; bookish can imply limited practical knowledge; scholarly suits formal publications.

In other languages

Spanish: Erudito
Japanese: 博学な
Korean: 학자적
Vietnamese: Học vấn sâu rộng
Chinese: 博学

Etymology

From Latin *eruditus*, past participle of *erudire* 'to instruct,' showing the word's learned origins.

Synonyms

knowledgeable well-read learned scholarly intellectual

Frequently asked questions

Is **erudite** formal or informal?: Is **erudite** formal or informal?
What's the difference between **erudite** and **intelligent**?: What's the difference between **erudite** and **intelligent**?
Can **erudite** describe a book or only a person?: Can **erudite** describe a book or only a person?
Is **erudite** common in academic writing?: Is **erudite** common in academic writing?