Definition
Having a sharp ability to understand situations and make good judgments, especially about practical matters.
Example
She made a shrewd decision to save money early.
Show translation
She made a clever, practical decision to save money early.
Etymology
From Middle English *shrewed*, meaning "wicked" or "evil" (as in Shakespeare's *The Taming of the Shrew*). By the 17th century, the sense softened and shifted toward "sharp-minded" and "cunning in a practical way," losing almost all its negative force in modern usage.
Cultural note
In American and British English alike, calling someone "shrewd" is generally a compliment in business contexts — it implies they see through complexity quickly. However, in some contexts it can carry a faint whiff of cunning or self-interest, so use it with a touch of awareness. Do not confuse with *rude* or *crude*; the rhyme is misleading.