Words / C2

s-uh-GAYSH-uh-s/səˈɡeɪʃəs/

Sagacious means showing good judgement and understanding: a sagacious editor. Wise is everyday; shrewd adds sharpness about advantage; astute is a close synonym. Sagacity is the noun. Formal, slightly old-fashioned. In speech, wise or shrewd is enough. It praises judgement, not mere knowledge, and not a lucky guess.

Meaning

Showing good judgement and understanding (formal).

Examples

• “A sagacious editor cut the weakest paragraph.”
• “A sagacious cut removed the paragraph that flattered the author and bored the reader.”
• “Sagacious in a reference means judgement; it is not a fancy synonym for clever.”

Good to know

Wise in judgement (formal). Noun: sagacity. Everyday: wise / shrewd. Close: astute. Judgement, not trivia or luck.

Near in meaning

wise

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