shrewd

IPA/ʃruːd/
KK[ʃrˈud]IPA/ʃruːd/

shrewd — adjective

  • shrewdpositive
  • shrewdercomparative
  • shrewdestsuperlative

1. able to judge situations quickly and accurately, and to use this understanding t

1.形容詞B2
釋義

able to judge situations quickly and accurately, and to use this understanding to gain an advantage for yourself, especially in business or financial matters.

例句

Elena made a <hw>shrewd</hw> investment in renewable energy before the industry took off.

collocation: shrewd + investment

The defence lawyer's <hw>shrewd</hw> questioning forced the witness to admit the truth.

collocation: shrewd + questioning

同義詞
  • astute

    very similar; slightly more formal and intellectual in tone

  • perceptive

    focuses on the ability to notice and understand, not necessarily on gaining advantage

  • sharp

    informal; can also mean mentally quick without the strategic element

  • sagacious

    formal and literary; suggests wisdom gained from experience, not just quick thinking

反義詞
  • naive

    lacking the experience or judgment to see what is really happening

  • gullible

    easily tricked or deceived, the opposite of being alert to advantage

  • foolish

    showing poor judgment

文法句型

shrewd + noun (investor, move, decision)

be + shrewd

用法筆記

Frequently used in business and financial contexts, but also describes general practical intelligence. Unlike cunning, shrewd has a largely positive connotation — it implies smart judgment, not dishonesty.

常見錯誤

❌He is a cunning businessman who reads the market well.
✅He is a shrewd businessman who reads the market well.
💡'Cunning' suggests dishonest trickery; 'shrewd' focuses on smart, legitimate judgment.
❌Mei-Lin is shrewd at mathematics.
✅Mei-Lin is shrewd when negotiating contracts.
💡'Shrewd' describes practical, advantage-oriented judgment, not academic skill.