shrewdness
C1Formal to neutral. Common in business, political, and literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The quality of having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astuteness, especially in practical matters or business.
Clever discernment, especially in self-interest; keen insight and practical wisdom, often implying a slightly cunning or calculating element.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically a positive trait but can carry a slight negative connotation of calculating self-interest or lack of sentimentality. Describes a quality, not a momentary act.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. Slightly more common in British political and business journalism.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies intelligence applied to real-world situations, often with an edge of pragmatism over idealism.
Frequency
Medium frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive] shrewdnessthe shrewdness of [NP]shrewdness in [V-ing/field]shrewdness to [infinitive]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Related to 'a shrewd move', 'a shrewd operator'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Valued highly. 'The CEO's shrewdness in the merger negotiations saved the company millions.'
Academic
Used in history, political science, business studies. 'The paper analyses the tactical shrewdness of the medieval ruler.'
Everyday
Less common, used to describe a clever person's characteristic. 'I admire your shrewdness in finding such a good deal.'
Technical
Not typically a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The investor shrewdly anticipated the market shift.
- She shrewdly negotiated a better contract.
American English
- He shrewdly bought the property before prices soared.
- They shrewdly diversified their portfolio.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Everyone admired her shrewdness in business.
- His shrewdness helped him win the game.
- The politician's shrewdness was evident in her ability to form unexpected alliances.
- It requires considerable shrewdness to navigate such a complex market.
- The biography highlights not just his charisma but his undeniable political shrewdness.
- Her shrewdness lay in recognizing the trend's potential long before her competitors did.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shrewd (clever, sharp) person. Shrewd-ness is the state of being shrewd. A shrewd shrew (small animal) would be very hard to catch.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHREWDNESS IS A SHARP TOOL / SHREWDNESS IS SEEING CLEARLY (BEYOND SURFACE APPEARANCES).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'cynicism' (цинизм). Shrewdness is pragmatic intelligence, not necessarily a negative worldview. Closer to 'проницательность', 'сметка', 'расчётливость'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe a single clever action (use 'a shrewd move' instead). *'He made a shrewdness' is incorrect. Confusing with 'rudeness' due to similar ending.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'shrewdness' most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly positive, implying admired intelligence and practicality. However, it can imply a lack of sentimentality or a focus on self-interest, which in some contexts may be viewed slightly negatively.
Intelligence is broad cognitive ability. Shrewdness is a specific type of intelligence: practical, sharp, and focused on judgment and gain, often in worldly affairs like business or politics.
It is often seen as an innate quality or one honed by extensive experience. While some aspects of judgment can be improved, the term typically describes a natural aptitude.
Shrewd. Example: a shrewd investor, a shrewd guess.
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