Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

savvy

[sav-ee] / ˈsæv i /




Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for savvy?
Savvy is most commonly used as an adjective to describe a person who’s generally knowledgeable, experienced, and well-informed. Synonyms that capture these same qualities are shrewd, astute, and canny. These terms often suggest that a person is generally intelligent and knows how to handle different situations, especially practical matters—that they’re discerning and have good judgment. Savvy can also be used as a noun referring to general shrewdness and common sense. Synonyms for this sense include acumen and know-how. The word savviness can mean the same thing. Sometimes, savvy is used in combination with other words that indicate the specific area in which someone is knowledgeable or experienced, such as tech-savvy and computer-savvy. Savvy is also sometimes used as a slang term at the end of a sentence, essentially as a way of saying Do you understand? Other ways of saying this are Capiche? (or Capeesh?), Understood? (or Understand?), and Got it?
What is the difference between astute and savvy?
Savvy and astute are close synonyms, and both can be applied to people and to comments, observations, decisions, etc. Calling a comment or observation astute often implies that it’s insightful. Calling a comment or observation savvy often implies that it’s wise and based on a depth of knowledge and experience.
Is it savy or savvy?
It’s spelled savvy, with two v’s. You can remember this by remembering that it doesn’t rhyme with navy or wavy or gravy, which all have one v.
What is the opposite (antonym) of savvy?
Savvy suggests knowledge, experience, and common sense. Words that capture the opposite of this include naive, ignorant, and obtuse. A more informal term is clueless. Calling someone savvy is a compliment. Using any of these terms to describe someone would be insulting.
How do you use savvy in a sentence?
Savvy is often applied to people or their comments, decisions, etc. It’s most commonly used as an adjective, and sometimes it’s paired with another word. It can also be used as a noun. Here are some examples of savvy in a sentence:
  • Our users are savvy—they know how it should work and they’ll certainly let us know when it doesn’t.
  • It was a savvy decision that demonstrated her depth of experience.
  • He had no business savvy at all—he lost money on every deal he ever made.
  • I knew he’d be great at game design since he’s always been so tech-savvy.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Previous research has found that people who aren’t savvy about their mortgage choices effectively provide a subsidy to people who make better choices.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 26, 2026

Despite their unorthodox belief system, some more contemporary examples, such as Scientology, are savvy in deploying the religious protections offered by the Constitution to secure legal and financial benefits.

From Salon Jun. 25, 2026

AI savvy can help distinguish a candidate, but it’s no guarantee that they’ll be hired, said career coach Burke.

From MarketWatch Jun. 22, 2026

“Newsom is an incredibly savvy politician so he is clearly aware that voters are a lot more upset or concerned about data centers than they were a year ago.”

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 21, 2026

Both boats had savvy coxswains and powerful, experienced oarsmen.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

But the market may be growing savvier about distinguishing between companies at risk of disruption and those set to benefit from AI.

From Barron's May 7, 2026

If a bill would be painful but manageable, paying out of pocket may be the savvier move in the long run.

From MarketWatch Apr. 21, 2026

What remains to be seen is whether these widened requirements will indeed make high-school graduates much savvier about all aspects of money in the long run.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 8, 2026

In other cases, regarding HSAs specifically, people are using the money in a much savvier way.

From Slate Mar. 31, 2025

Relieved that I didn’t have to worry about him, I followed Sabrina and Daphne, another girl from Lykes Cottage who was a year older than I was and who seemed savvier than Sabrina.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Even the savviest, most battle-tested investors may fear missing out.

From Barron's May 22, 2026

And the savviest Americans take advantage of all three.

From MarketWatch Mar. 24, 2026

But the savviest choice might just be another school that many Americans don’t want to pick: Michigan.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 16, 2026

Enter the NFL RedZone channel, one of the savviest things anyone’s ever put on TV.

From Slate Sep. 8, 2025

These scenes make the likes of Amy Poehler seem even more human and likable and argue that Tracy Morgan, who has no shortage of grinning confidence and charm, might be one of Michael’s savviest discoveries.

From Salon Jan. 16, 2025

This fine example is plush and ripe, with plenty of nectarine and citrus flavors but without the aggressive grassiness of some New Zealand savvies.

From Washington Post Jul. 14, 2022

Them guns," said Dave, "pretty near shoot themselves if a feller savvies a gun at all.

From The Land of Strong Men by Chisholm, A. M. (Arthur Murray)

There's one man up there savvies downhill shootin'.

From The Land of Strong Men by Chisholm, A. M. (Arthur Murray)

I says to myself: 'Jo's been on the grade all her life and savvies conditions.

From The She Boss A Western Story by Hankins, Arthur Preston

"When he gets the thing figured out, in six months or a year, and savvies it was a put-up job from the start, somebody'll have it coming."

From The Lonesome Trail and Other Stories by Bower, B. M.

And say, even if I couldn't have savvied a word, that smile would have been enough.

From Torchy and Vee by Ford, Sewell

Said it was easy to run three-year-olds off their own range single handed if you savvied horses.

From The Texan A Story of the Cattle Country by Hendryx, James B. (James Beardsley)

That's about how he would have put it aboard ship, but he hadn't quite savvied this shore-going chief clerk at his elbow.

From Wide Courses by Connolly, James B. (James Brendan)

I tho’t you savvied that, I sure did, or I’d ha’ put you wise.

From The Twins of Suffering Creek by Cullum, Ridgwell

"Jim, I savvied your feelin's was hurt—by thet talk about Texas—an' when she up an' asked you."

From The Man of the Forest by Grey, Zane

Well, there's time for a chin before the choo-choo starts—thought I'd be early, not savvying this kind of travelling a great deal.

From Red Saunders His Adventures West & East by Phillips, Henry Wallace

And Johnnie he cruises over to China, and the old fellow, savvying how things are, says all right, marry, and they get married, and he gives 'em his blessing and lays down and dies.

From Sonnie-Boy's People by Connolly, James B. (James Brendan)

For savvying everything, there's nobody going to give him the go-by!

From Under Fire: the story of a squad by Wray, Fitzwater




Vocabulary lists containing savvy


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training