shrewd
SHROOD
/ʃruːd/
Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute, especially in practical or commercial matters.
Focuses on commercial acumen, political savvy, or self-interested practical cleverness.
The story behind the word. In Middle English, a 'shrew' was a small rodent believed to bite venomously, and calling someone 'shrewed' meant calling them cursed or evil. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from 'wicked' to 'dangerously clever', and eventually softened into 'keenly practical and clever'.
Word relationships
- astute: Astute emphasizes sharp observation, while shrewd often highlights practical, commercial calculation.
- cunning: Cunning implies deceit or trickery, whereas shrewd implies sharp practical competence without necessarily being dishonest.
- foolish: Foolish implies lacking good practical judgment.
- gullible: Gullible stresses easily tricked in worldly dealings.
Commonly confused with
- shrewish: Shrewish means bad-tempered or nagging, whereas shrewd means sharp and practical.
Word family
- shrewdly (adverb): In a shrewd manner.
- shrewdness (noun): The quality of having sharp practical judgment.
Collocations
- shrewd businessman
- shrewd investor
- shrewd decision
- shrewd insight
Idioms & expressions
- sharp as a tack
- knowing which way the wind blows
Example sentences
- "Her shrewd investment in green technology before the market boom turned her small startup into a fortune." Business strategy
- "A shrewd politician knows exactly when to compromise and when to stand firm." Political observation
Memory hook
A SHREWD business person SHREDs bad deals. SHREWD = Sharp eyes on the bottom line.
When not to use
Avoid when describing compassionate or purely spiritual wisdom.
Fun facts
- Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' uses the older negative sense of 'shrew' as an ill-tempered, scolding woman.
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