savvy

14 synonyms and 3 antonyms for savvy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Shrewd and well-informed, especially about practical matters.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

understanding

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

knowledgeable grasp comprehend compass dig

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

shrewd astute streetwise canny apprehension discernment apprehend grok

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Shrewd and well-informed, especially about practical matters.

“A savvy investor knows when to hold and when to sell.”

shrewd astute knowledgeable streetwise canny

Opposites

dense thick dull

2. noun

Practical knowledge or common sense about a subject.

“Her business savvy helped the startup survive its first year.”

apprehension discernment understanding

3. verb

To understand (informal).

“You savvy what I'm saying?”

grasp apprehend comprehend grok compass dig

How to use savvy

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

tech-savvy street savvy business savvy

Etymology

From a pidgin form of "know," ultimately from Portuguese/Spanish saber, "to know," from Latin sapere, "to taste, to know."

Full origin of savvy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “savvy” mean?

The word “savvy” means shrewd and well-informed, especially about practical matters. In plain terms, practical smarts, or being shrewd and street-wise about something.

How do you pronounce “savvy”?

“Savvy” is pronounced SAV-ee (/ˈsæv.i/ in IPA).

How do you use “savvy” in a sentence?

Here is “savvy” used in a sentence: “A savvy investor knows when to hold and when to sell.”

What part of speech is “savvy”?

Depending on how it is used, “savvy” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “savvy” come from?

The word “savvy” comes from Latin. From a pidgin form of "know," ultimately from Portuguese/Spanish saber, "to know," from Latin sapere, "to taste, to know.".

Is “savvy” a common word?

“Savvy” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “savvy” have?

“Savvy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shrewd and well-informed, especially about practical matters.

What is the difference between savvy and smart?

Savvy specifically describes being shrewd and well-informed about practical, real-world matters, such as business or technology, rather than general intelligence. Smart is broader and can describe academic ability or quick thinking with no practical focus at all.

Is savvy formal or informal English?

Savvy is generally informal to neutral in tone and is common in everyday speech, journalism, and business writing, such as in the phrase "tech-savvy." It is rarely used in strictly formal or academic writing.

Can savvy be used as a noun and a verb?

Yes. As a noun, savvy means practical knowledge or common sense about a subject, as in "business savvy." As an informal verb, savvy means to understand, as in "Do you savvy?", though this verb use is dated and mostly appears in older or stylized dialogue.

People also searched

understanding thick dig dense grasp dull compass comprehend knowledgeable apprehension astute discernment

Nearby words

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