Erudition
n.thoughtful, capableformal
What it means
Extensive knowledge acquired through sustained study.
Reach for it when naming impressive learned depth rather than mere cleverness
Her erudition gave the documentary unusual depth and precision.
Choose between these
6- playful
book learning
when academic study is contrasted with practice
not when The phrase is often dismissive and understates serious scholarship.
- everyday
when the broad neutral category is sufficient
not when Knowledge can be narrow, intuitive, or practical rather than learned.
- everyday
when acquired knowledge should be stated simply
not when Learning includes early or practical knowledge and may lack erudition's breadth.
- professional
intellectual depth
when understanding beneath surface facts deserves emphasis
not when Depth can exist in one field without extensive range.
- professional
when rigorous study and its published results matter
not when Scholarship is a practice or funding category as well as knowledge.
- literary
lore
when accumulated traditional or specialist knowledge is meant
not when Lore can be informal, legendary, or unsupported by scholarship.
Said against
3- ignorance
- superficiality
- illiteracy
It naturally appears in
3- great erudition
The editor brought great erudition to every historical note.
- display erudition
He could display erudition without silencing less experienced voices.
- depth of erudition
The bibliography reveals the depth of her erudition.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun, noun sense great knowledge gained through study opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.