astute
adjective C1
Plain meaning
good at understanding situations and making smart judgments
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means good at understanding situations and making smart judgments, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalHis response sounded astute, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a astute assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a astute responseastute behavioura astute situation
Watch out
Do not use “very astute” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
astuteness (noun, where natural)astutely (adverb, where natural)