Help me find a word for "quick to perceive"
November 11, 2011 8:29 PM
What are some words that mean "quick to perceive/discern," "sound judgment," or "keen-minded?"
I've already thought of "acumen," but that's not quite the word I'm looking for.
I've already thought of "acumen," but that's not quite the word I'm looking for.
Solomonic.
clear-sighted.
insightful.
perspicacious.
Keen.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:40 PM on November 11, 2011
clear-sighted.
insightful.
perspicacious.
Keen.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:40 PM on November 11, 2011
Savvy. Astute. Judicious. A fast study.
Also, it's a little $5-wordy for me, but: perspicacious.
posted by Rhaomi at 8:41 PM on November 11, 2011
Also, it's a little $5-wordy for me, but: perspicacious.
posted by Rhaomi at 8:41 PM on November 11, 2011
Incisive...on mobile so can't link, but Googling "incisive synonyms" got some good ones, including "trenchant", which I like a lot.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 8:46 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Jon Mitchell at 8:46 PM on November 11, 2011
I use "nobody's fool" a lot.
posted by troublesome at 9:13 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by troublesome at 9:13 PM on November 11, 2011
shrewd
posted by unknowncommand at 9:17 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by unknowncommand at 9:17 PM on November 11, 2011
A traditional phrase for this: A mind like a steel trap.
posted by Brian B. at 9:23 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Brian B. at 9:23 PM on November 11, 2011
Acute, perspicacious, incisive, insightful, astute, sagacious!
posted by artemisia at 9:34 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by artemisia at 9:34 PM on November 11, 2011
superb intellect
posted by peripatetic007 at 9:40 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by peripatetic007 at 9:40 PM on November 11, 2011
What's wrong with "smart"?
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 9:46 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 9:46 PM on November 11, 2011
Perspicacious.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:35 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:35 PM on November 11, 2011
Phrases:
"quick study"
"quick on his feet"
"thinks on his toes"
"sharp as a tack"
Sound judgement = wise
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:50 PM on November 11, 2011
"quick study"
"quick on his feet"
"thinks on his toes"
"sharp as a tack"
Sound judgement = wise
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:50 PM on November 11, 2011
I always think that "perspicacious" is a highly-underused word.
posted by zachawry at 1:39 AM on November 12, 2011
posted by zachawry at 1:39 AM on November 12, 2011
To a Brit these are 4 different concepts (perceive/discern mean different things really) and I'd go with artemisia's list.
But it depends on whether you mean like smart like Sherlock Holmes or canny like a street trader or clever like a precocious child, this would colour the choice of words.
posted by epo at 1:53 AM on November 12, 2011
But it depends on whether you mean like smart like Sherlock Holmes or canny like a street trader or clever like a precocious child, this would colour the choice of words.
posted by epo at 1:53 AM on November 12, 2011
I have loved "perspicacious" ever since I saw it used to describe George Smiley in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (a character who is trying to determine the identity of a mole in his own intelligence service). It covers the whole constellation of meanings you suggest.
For "quick to perceive", alone, though, "astute" might be my preference.
posted by dhartung at 2:13 AM on November 12, 2011
For "quick to perceive", alone, though, "astute" might be my preference.
posted by dhartung at 2:13 AM on November 12, 2011
discriminating
posted by -harlequin- at 5:31 AM on November 12, 2011
posted by -harlequin- at 5:31 AM on November 12, 2011
Discerninig?
posted by bananafish at 7:47 AM on November 12, 2011
posted by bananafish at 7:47 AM on November 12, 2011
apt
posted by to recite so charmingly at 3:30 PM on November 12, 2011
posted by to recite so charmingly at 3:30 PM on November 12, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phunniemee at 8:31 PM on November 11, 2011