Shrewd
adjective /ʃruːd/ — Having sharp practical judgment in business or daily life
Definition
Having or showing sharp powers of judgment — especially in practical matters of business, negotiation, or human nature. A shrewd person sees quickly and accurately.
Beyond the definition
Intelligence that does something. Shrewd is not the same as intelligent — it is intelligence pointed directly at usefulness, at the practical reality of how things work.
Origin & history
From Middle English 'shrewed' (wicked, mischievous) — from 'shrew' (a scolding woman, a small aggressive mammal). The word softened over time from 'dangerous and malicious' to 'sharp and clever'.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His shrewd assessment of the other side's weaknesses gave them a position they hadn't expected to hold.
A shrewd eye for value is different from a lucky one — it produces the same results consistently.
She was shrewd enough to know that appearing shrewd was its own disadvantage.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Shrewd” when the meaning fits your context: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment — especially in practical matters of business, negotiation, or human nature. A shrewd person sees quickly and accurately.
Synonyms
Antonyms
naive, gullible, foolish
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Shrewd" mean?
Shrewd is adjective meaning: Having sharp practical judgment in business or daily life. Having or showing sharp powers of judgment — especially in practical matters of business, negotiation, or human nature. A shrewd person sees quickly and accurately.
Where does the word "Shrewd" come from?
From Middle English 'shrewed' (wicked, mischievous) — from 'shrew' (a scolding woman, a small aggressive mammal). The word softened over time from 'dangerous and malicious' to 'sharp and clever'.