Main Entry: shrewd

Pronunciation: \ˈshrüd, especially Southern ˈsrüd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English shrewed, from shrewe + ¹-ed

Date: 13th century

1 archaic : mischievous
2 obsolete : abusive, shrewish
3 obsolete : ominous, dangerous
4 a : severe, hard <a shrewd knock> b : sharp, piercing <a shrewd wind>
5 a : marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen <shrewd common sense> b : given to wily and artful ways or dealing <a shrewd operator>

— shrewd·ly adverb

— shrewd·ness noun

synonyms shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious, astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment. shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment <a shrewd judge of character>. sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness <sagacious investors got in on the ground floor>. perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden <a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade>. astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill <an astute player of party politics>.