shrewd

UK: /ˈʃruːd/ US: /ʃrud/ ,(shro̅o̅d)

Inflections of 'shrewd' (adj):

shrewder

adj comparative

shrewdest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

shrewd /ʃrud/   adj., -er, -est. 

1. clever or sharp in practical matters:
   a shrewd politician.
2. keen;
   piercing:
   a shrewd glance at me.
3. showing or done with sharpness in judgment, etc.:
   a shrewd choice for vice president.

shrewd•ly, adv. 
shrewd•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

shrewd  (shro̅o̅d), adj., -er, -est. 

1. astute or sharp in practical matters:
   a shrewd politician.
2. keen;
   piercing.
3. artful.
4. [Archaic.] malicious.
5. [Obs.] bad.
6. [Obs.] shrewish.

• 1275–1325; Middle English shrewed, in part representing shrew¹ + -ed³ (compare dogged, wicked); in part probably past participle of shrewen to curse, verb, verbal use of shrew¹ (see -ed²)

shrewd′ly, adv. 
shrewd′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. quick, discerning, perceptive, perspicacious, sagacious, keen; discriminating, intelligent. See acute. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

shrewd / ʃruːd/ adjective

1. astute and penetrating, often with regard to business
2. artful and crafty: a shrewd politician
3. piercing: a shrewd wind

Etymology: 14th Century: from shrew (obsolete vb) to curse, from shrew

ˈshrewdly adverb

ˈshrewdness noun