savvy

1 of 3

adjective

sav·​vy ˈsa-vē 

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

: understand

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."

Synonyms

Adjective

• smart
• astute
• shrewd

Noun

• skills
• experience
• expertise
• proficiency

Verb

• know
• understand
• appreciate
• decipher
• recognize
• comprehend
• grasp
• see
• sense

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

In Episode 2, wouldn’t tech-savvy Claudette have a proper iPhone case that would survive a three-story belly flop? —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025

Some fraudsters are so smooth even savvy customers have been fooled. —Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Noun

With a coordinated plan, open family discussions and the help of tax- and investment-savvy advisors, high-income parents can give their kids a strong start in life without sacrificing their own financial independence. —Meredith Moore, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Tech has an edge because its workforce tends to be, well, tech-savvy. —Carolyn Said, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Verb

The sale was made by an international brokerage firm, owned by Boulos’ cousin, which overcharged the seemingly business savvy Kushner by millions of dollars and worked to conceal the true price. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025

In my experience, fintechs do a great job of bringing together young, energetic and tech-savvy professionals with experienced hands who understand the inner workings of the traditional finance world. —Chris Perry, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for savvy

• navvy

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Kids Definition

savvy

1 of 3 verb

sav·​vy ˈsav-ē 

savvied; savvying

: comprehend sense 1, understand

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