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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
naive, gullible, foolish
Related words
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Market Negotiation
Two individuals negotiate at a stall, using a balanced scale to carefully measure the value of goods during an exchange.
The focus on measurement and the careful, balanced exchange of goods represent the sharp judgment and practical intelligence needed to navigate business matters effectively.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration