book-smart
Learned from texts
Book-smart describes intelligence gained from formal education and reading rather than practical experience.
Someone book-smart excels at academic subjects and theoretical knowledge but may lack common sense or street smarts: She's book-smart but can't change a tire.
The term often carries a slight edge, implying that such knowledge has limits in the real world.
Marked by serious learning
- studiousInclined toward serious learning
- textbookAcademic subject manual
- well-readKnowledgeable through literature
- educatedHaving received formal instruction
schooled · literate · curriculum · syllabus · thesis · dissertation · research · university
Profoundly knowledgeable
- cerebralRelating to intellect
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
- knowledgeableHaving extensive information
- brainyPossessing high intellect
intelligent · clever · sharp · astute · cognitive · theoretical · conceptual · abstract
Native practical judgment
- practicalSuited for real use
- naiveInnocently unsuspecting
- inexperiencedLacking practical knowledge
- shelteredKept safe from harm
ivory tower · real-world · hands-on · worldly · impractical · theoretical · classroom · life experience
scholarly
Marked by serious learning
- studiousInclined toward serious learning
- textbookAcademic subject manual
- well-readKnowledgeable through literature
educated · schooled · literate · curriculum · syllabus · thesis · dissertation · research · university · college
erudite
Profoundly knowledgeable
- cerebralRelating to intellect
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
- knowledgeableHaving extensive information
brainy · intelligent · clever · sharp · astute · cognitive · theoretical · conceptual · abstract · philosophical
common sense
Native practical judgment
- practicalSuited for real use
- naiveInnocently unsuspecting
- inexperiencedLacking practical knowledge
sheltered · ivory tower · real-world · hands-on · worldly · impractical · theoretical · classroom · life experience · socially awkward
book-smartstreet-smart
Urban survival instincts
streetwise · worldly-wise · hands-on · world-wise · savvy
book-smartuneducated
Lacking formal instruction
ignorant · illiterate · dumb · unschooled · stupid
book, smart, bookish, booklet, e-book, bookkeeper, bookstore, bookshelf, smartly