shrew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, formal, sometimes archaic. The animal sense is neutral; the human sense is pejorative and potentially offensive.
Quick answer
What does “shrew” mean?
a small, mouselike, insectivorous mammal with a long, pointed snout, tiny eyes, and velvety fur.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a small, mouselike, insectivorous mammal with a long, pointed snout, tiny eyes, and velvety fur.
an ill-tempered, scolding, or nagging woman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both use both meanings.
Connotations
The 'nagging woman' sense is equally archaic/offensive in both variants. The term is not commonly used in modern casual speech for a person in either region.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, found mostly in classic literature (e.g., Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew') or in zoological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “shrew” in a Sentence
[verb] a shrew (e.g., 'She was labelled a shrew')[adjective] shrew (e.g., 'a shrewish wife')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shrew” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- Her shrewish remarks were legendary in the village.
American English
- He couldn't stand her shrewish tone any longer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology/biology for the small mammal (Order Eulipotyphla). In literature/history/women's studies, referenced in analysis of historical gender roles and language.
Everyday
Rare for the person; mildly known for the animal. Use for a person is likely to be seen as old-fashioned and offensive.
Technical
Zoological term for species in the family Soricidae.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shrew”
- Mispronunciation: saying /ʃruː/ as 'shrow' /ʃroʊ/.
- Using it as a modern insult (sounds archaic).
- Confusing the animal with a mouse (they are different orders).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered an offensive, archaic, and sexist term. It is rarely used in modern speech for this reason.
Shrews (order Eulipotyphla) are insectivores with pointed snouts and tiny eyes. Mice (order Rodentia) are rodents with gnawing incisors. They are not closely related.
The title uses the archaic meaning. 'Shrew' refers to the ill-tempered, outspoken character of Katharina, whom Petruchio attempts to 'tame' into a submissive wife, a concept critically examined in modern interpretations.
Almost never. The term is historically and almost exclusively gendered female. A similar term for a man might be 'curmudgeon' or 'grouch', without the connotation of scolding nagging.
a small, mouselike, insectivorous mammal with a long, pointed snout, tiny eyes, and velvety fur.
Shrew is usually literary, formal, sometimes archaic. the animal sense is neutral; the human sense is pejorative and potentially offensive. in register.
Shrew: in British English it is pronounced /ʃruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Taming of the Shrew (idiomatic reference to subduing a difficult woman)”
- “shrewish tongue”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A shrew is like a SCREW – something sharp, unpleasant, and difficult to handle.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ANNOYING WOMAN IS A SMALL, AGGRESSIVE, NOISY ANIMAL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the PRIMARY modern meaning of 'shrew'?