savvy

1 of 3

adjective

sav·​vy ˈsa-vē How to pronounce savvy (audio)
savvier; savviest
: having or showing perception, comprehension, or shrewdness especially in practical matters
savvily adverb
savviness noun

savvy

2 of 3

noun

: practical know-how
political savvy

savvy

3 of 3

verb

savvied; savvying

Did you know?

While the noun savvy, meaning "practical know-how" (as in "her political savvy"), and the adjective use (as in "a savvy investor") are more common, the verb savvy is the oldest of the trio. (If you associate it with Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, you'll be pleased to know his use—as in, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"—is not anachronistic; the verb was the only savvy option extant in the movies' early 18th-century setting.) Current evidence dates the verb savvy to the late 17th century, when English speakers altered a word—sabi, meaning "know"—they were hearing in English-based creoles and pidgins (a pidgin is a simplified language or dialect that speakers of different languages use to communicate with one another; a creole is a language that evolves from a pidgin to become a native language for a speech community). Sabi has its roots in Portuguese sabe, meaning "he knows," and it ultimately comes from Latin sapere, meaning "to be wise."

Examples of savvy in a Sentence

Adjective She's a very savvy investor. He is savvy about computers. Noun she's an excellent scholar of political science, but lacks the kind of savvy needed to run for public office Verb the man growled, “Don't ever date my daughter again—you savvy?”
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Tips for Saving Money While on Board While your tab can quickly rack up once on board, there are several savvy ways to save money. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2024 The napkin is picked up by a savvy venture capitalist. Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang, TIME, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for savvy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savvy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of sabi know (in English-based creoles and pidgins), from Portuguese sabe he knows, from saber to know, from Latin sapere to be wise — more at sage

First Known Use

Adjective

1826, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1785, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1686, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of savvy was in 1686

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Dictionary Entries Near savvy

Cite this Entry

“Savvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savvy. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

savvy

1 of 3 verb
sav·​vy ˈsav-ē How to pronounce savvy (audio)
savvied; savvying

savvy

2 of 3 noun
: useful understanding : shrewdness

savvy

3 of 3 adjective
savvier; savviest
: having a practical understanding or knowledge of something
a savvy stock market investor

More from Merriam-Webster on savvy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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