savvy

American  

[sav-ee] / ˈsæv i /

adjective

savvier, savviest

1. experienced, knowledgable, and well-informed; shrewd (often used in combination): a tech-savvy entrepreneur.

   consumers who are savvy about prices;

   a tech-savvy entrepreneur.

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noun

1. Also savviness. practical understanding; shrewdness or intelligence; common sense.

   a candidate who seemed to have no political savvy.

verb (used with or without object)

savvied, savvying

1. to know; understand.

savvy British  

/ ˈsævɪ /

verb

1. to understand or get the sense of (an idea, etc)

2. I don't (he doesn't, etc) understand

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noun

1. comprehension

adjective

1. shrewd; well-informed

Etymology

Origin of savvy

First recorded in 1775–85; from Spanish sabe, 3rd-person singular present of saber “to know,” from Latin sapere “to be wise, taste”; sapient

Explanation

You are known as someone with a lot of business savvy, but only because you've managed to keep your staggering debts a secret. Which is actually pretty savvy. Someone who is savvy is shrewd and perceptive. Most English words stem directly from other European languages, like French and Latin. Not savvy. It comes from the West Indies, a twist on the French savez vous? — “Do you know?” Savvy was first recorded in its adjective form in 1905. Synonyms for the noun form include acumen, discernment, grasp, perception, and sharpness.

Example Sentences

“I’ve seen my share of less savvy investors who have had brokers and insurance salespeople put their IRAs into deferred variable annuities,” says North Vale, N.J.-based financial adviser John Coumarianos.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Instead of bludgeoning opponents with power, the 5-foot-7 Pegula beats them with savvy, steadiness and tactical variety.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

“A24 knows they’re the cool kids, they’re savvy and will get people to come in the doors, but they don’t have the marketing dollars. That’s just the way it is.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Social media industry analyst Matt Navarra said TikTok's decision to "swim against the tide" is a savvy one - but comes with "pretty combustible optics".

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

The stories circulating in the Philadelphia press suggested that Adams had acted impulsively because his politically savvy wife had not been available to talk him out of it.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• acumen
• awareness
• insight
• intellect
• intelligence
• judgment
• know-how
• knowledge
• sense