2 syllables: As, tute. Stress on tute.
uh-STOOT
/əˈstut/
Astute is pronounced uh-STOOT (/əˈstut/). It has two syllables (As-tute), with the stress on "tute". Astute means having or showing shrewd insight and good judgment, especially in practical matters. It conveys quick perception and clear discernment, often catching subtleties that others miss. Used to describe someone who is perceptive, sharp, and resourceful in evaluating people, situations, or information.
adjectiveAstute means having or showing shrewd insight and good judgment, especially in practical matters. It conveys quick perception and clear discernment, often catching subtleties that others miss. Used to describe someone who is perceptive, sharp, and resourceful in evaluating people, situations, or information.
Tip: Use minimal pairs like cat/coat, sat/suit to train the transition, and rehearse with a light, precise tongue touch on the /t/ to keep endings audible.
How to Pronounce Astute
"She made an astute investment after carefully weighing risks and rewards."
"The detective offered an astute analysis of the clues, uncovering inconsistencies others overlooked."
"With an astute reading of market trends, he anticipated the downturn before it happened."
Astute is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈæs.tuːt/ in US/UK/AU. The first syllable carries primary stress and uses a short æ as in “cat.” The second syllable features a long, close back rounded vowel /uː/ followed by a clear /t/. In careful speech you can also hear a light syllabic break between /ˈæs/ and /tuːt/. For many learners, pivoting the /tuː/ into a crisp /tjuː/ blend (as in /ˈæs.tjuːt/) reflects the common modern pronunciation, especially in connected speech. IPA: US/UK/AU: ˈæs.tjuːt.
Common errors include: (1) pronouncing the second syllable as /ˈæ.sjute/ or /æsˈjoot/ with a j-like sound; (2) flattening the /tuː/ to a short /tʊ/ or /tɔː/; (3) misplacing the stress as on the second syllable (as in /æˈstjuːt/). The fix: keep primary stress on the first syllable, produce a clear /tuː/ or /tjuː/ depending on the speaker, and ensure the final /t/ is crisp. Practice with minimal pairs to reinforce the /æ/ vs /eɪ/ trajectory and maintain a clean /t/ ending.
In US and UK, the second syllable tends to be /tuː/ or /tjuː/, with a non-rhotic or rhotic approach depending on speaker; rhotics may sound slightly more 'r-like' in connected speech in American varieties. Australian speakers often reduce the /juː/ sequence slightly, yielding /jʊ/ or /juː/ with a shorter duration and less rounded vowel; vocalization may lead to a smoother glide. In all, primary stress remains on the first syllable, but the quality of /t/ and the vowel length of the second syllable shift slightly by accent and dialect. IPA references: US/UK: /ˈæs.tjuːt/; AU: /ˈæs.tjuːt/.
Astute challenges learners due to the /tjuː/ sequence after the stressed first syllable, which can slide into a /t/ with a y-like onset or a palatalized blend. The /æ/ vowel in the first syllable is short and quick, while the second syllable hides a subtle diphthongization of /uː/ in fast speech. The consonant cluster /st/ can bleed into the following /t/ in rapid speech, creating a light /s/ and a softer /t/ instead of a clean release. Focus on crisp /t/ release and a steady /tuː/ regardless of speed.
Astute is often misheard as a blend with an audible /d/ or a different vowel quality in the second syllable among non-native ears. The unique aspect is the /tjuː/ sequence occurring after a stressed first syllable; ensure your tongue is ready for a quick /t/ release followed by the high back rounded /uː/ and rounded lips for a crisp ending. Emphasize the transition from /æ/ to /tjuː/ with a light glide and avoid inserting extra schwa.
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Astute derives from Latin astutus, meaning crafty, cunning, or sharpened. The root astus/astus relates to cunning or craftiness, and the suffix -us marks a masculine Latin adjective form; the word entered English via Old French astu, tracing back to Latin astutus. The sense evolution centers on mental acuity and perceptive sharpness. By the 14th century, astute appeared in English to describe people with keen, practical intelligence and discernment beyond mere book knowledge. Over time, it retained a positive connotation of sagacity while remaining distinct from mere cleverness; the emphasis is on adaptive insight and prudent judgment. In contemporary usage, astute increasingly pairs with nouns denoting analysis, strategy, or social perception (e.g., astute observer, astute analyst). The word’s phonetic form stabilized in Early Modern English, with the first syllable stressed on a- (ASH-toot) and strong vowel reduction in rapid speech. The contemporary pronunciation aligns with the historical pronunciation of -ute words in English while preserving the initial soft A as in “assure with a short a” and the trailing -ute as a tight, clipped /uːt/ sound. First known use citations appear in late Middle English dictionaries and later corpus attestations, reinforcing its association with prudent, insightful judgment rather than mere cleverness.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Astute" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Astute" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Astute"
-ute sounds
-oot sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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