Argute

//ɑːˈɡjuːt// adj

adj ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Sharp; perceptive; shrewd. literary

    "“Suppose,” said Roland Græme, “we should begin as in a tale-book, by asking each others names and histories.” “It is right well imagined,” said Catherine, “and shews an argute judgment. Do you begin, and I will listen, and only put in a question or two at the dark parts of the story. Come, unfold then your name and history, my new acquaintance.”"

  2. 2
    Shrill in sound. literary

Example

More examples

"“Suppose,” said Roland Græme, “we should begin as in a tale-book, by asking each others names and histories.” “It is right well imagined,” said Catherine, “and shews an argute judgment. Do you begin, and I will listen, and only put in a question or two at the dark parts of the story. Come, unfold then your name and history, my new acquaintance.”"

Etymology

From Latin argūtus, perfect passive participle of arguō (“I clarify”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.