YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME
Perspicacious
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Meaning in plain English
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Pronunciation
Perspicacious/ˌpɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs/
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Examples in context
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- Her perspicacious analysis of the case impressed even the seasoned lawyers.
- The journalist’s perspicacious questions revealed the truth behind the politician’s vague answers.
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Her ________ analysis of the case impressed even the seasoned lawyers.
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Perspicacious — Having a ready insight and understanding of things; mentally sharp and perceptive.
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Having a ready insight and understanding of things; mentally sharp and perceptive.
Compare: Her perspicacious analysis of the case impressed even the seasoned lawyers.
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Perspicacious is perceptive
Perspicacious describes someone who notices and understands subtle details. It is not the same as suspicious: a perspicacious observer has insight, while a suspicious observer may simply distrust someone. The related noun is perspicacity. Use a concrete observation to show what the person understood.
In context: A perspicacious reader noticed that the narrator contradicted an earlier account.
Try it: Which shows perspicacity: guessing randomly or recognizing a small contradiction that explains the mystery?
Check the explanation
Recognizing the meaningful contradiction. The word concerns discerning insight, not a lucky guess.
Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Perspicacious.
Word origin
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