Help me find a word for "quick to perceive"
November 11, 2011 8:29 PM Subscribe
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.
Sharp?
posted by HFSH at 8:36 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by HFSH at 8:36 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Solomonic.
clear-sighted.
insightful.
perspicacious.
Keen.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:40 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
clear-sighted.
insightful.
perspicacious.
Keen.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:40 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
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 [2 favorites]
Also, it's a little $5-wordy for me, but: perspicacious.
posted by Rhaomi at 8:41 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: 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