nounnounadjective

el astuto

cunning · shrewd

Definition & meaning

The word astuto is an adjective used to describe someone who is clever, shrewd, or crafty. It typically refers to a person's ability to perceive situations quickly and use that information to their advantage, often in a way that is subtle or cunning.

  1. Clever or sharp-witted: Someone who has a quick mind and is able to solve problems or deal with complex situations effectively.
  2. Cunning or sly: Someone who uses deceit or manipulative tactics to achieve their goals, often acting in a way that is difficult for others to detect.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

  • It is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., hombre astuto, mujer astuta, niños astutos).

Word origin:

  • The word comes from the Latin astutus, which is derived from the noun astus (meaning dexterity, craft, or cunning). The suffix -uto indicates the possession of that quality.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

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Examples

El zorro es un animal muy astuto.adjective

The fox is a very cunning animal.

Los comerciantes astutos negociaron un mejor precio en el mercado.adjective

The shrewd merchants negotiated a better price at the market.

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