shrewd
Very smart in a practical way, good at making decisions that give you an advantage, especially in money or business matters.
Having or showing sharp practical judgment, especially in business or everyday decisions, often in a way that gains an advantage.
Able to understand people and situations very well and very accurately, often seeing the truth that others miss.
Showing sharp, accurate insight into people or situations, especially in judging character or understanding what is really happening.
Very strong in a way that hurts, especially about cold weather or a hard hit.
Causing a sharp or severe physical effect, especially referring to very cold weather or a strong, painful blow.
- Base: shrewd
- Comparative: shrewder
- Superlative: shrewdest
a shrewd businessman
1very clever businessperson (male)
A man who is very smart and practical in business and makes strong, profitable choices.
- He is a shrewd businessman who turned a small shop into a large chain.
- A shrewd businessman never signs a contract without reading the fine print.
- Her father, a shrewd businessman, taught her how to negotiate.
a shrewd decision
1a wise and practical choice
A very good and practical choice, made with clear understanding of what will happen.
- Leaving the company when she did was a shrewd decision.
- His shrewd decision to cut costs early kept the business alive.
- It was a shrewd decision to learn programming while at university.
a shrewd investor
1investor with sharp judgment
A person who is very smart and careful with investments and usually makes money.
- A shrewd investor studies the market before buying any shares.
- Only a shrewd investor could have seen the chance to profit in that crisis.
- She became a millionaire by being a shrewd investor from a young age.
a shrewd judge of character
1person good at reading people
Someone who can quickly and correctly understand what other people are really like.
- My mother is a shrewd judge of character and always knows when someone is lying.
- A good manager must be a shrewd judge of character.
- Over the years he became a shrewd judge of character, able to pick the best people for his team.
a shrewd move
1a very clever, advantageous decision
A very smart action or decision that gives you an advantage over others.
- Switching to online sales early turned out to be a shrewd move for the company.
- It was a shrewd move to apologize quickly and avoid a long argument.
- Buying the building before prices rose was a shrewd move.
a shrewd observer
1person who notices and understands a lot
Someone who looks carefully at people or situations and understands what is really happening.
- The writer is a shrewd observer of city life.
- A shrewd observer would notice the tension between the two leaders.
- She became a shrewd observer of office politics.
shrewd analysis
1very accurate, insightful analysis
An explanation or study of a problem or situation that is very smart and correct.
- The journalist’s shrewd analysis of the election helped viewers understand the results.
- Her shrewd analysis of the company’s data revealed the real problem.
- The report offered a shrewd analysis of changes in the job market.
shrewd political operator
1very skilled, calculating politician
A person in politics who is very smart and careful in using power and relationships to get what they want.
- Behind his friendly smile, he is a shrewd political operator.
- As a shrewd political operator, she knew exactly when to change her public position.
- The prime minister is a shrewd political operator who rarely makes a public mistake.