shrewd
Say it: SHROOD /ʃruːd/ · adjective
What “shrewd” means
Good at judging situations and making clever, practical decisions.
More precisely: Having sharp practical judgement; hard to fool.
Example: “A shrewd negotiator, she let the seller name a price first.”
When to use it
Usually approving, for someone who spots opportunities, understands people's motives or makes sensible deals without being easily fooled.
Similar words
astute, canny, sharp
Where it comes from
Originally meant 'malicious', from shrew in its old sense of 'wicked person'.
Quick check
A buyer spots expensive damage beneath a car's fresh paint and negotiates a much lower price. The buyer is…
shrewd or cynical?
Show the answer
shrewd
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