savvy

Savvy is an English term used as a noun, an adjective, and occasionally a verb. As a noun, savvy refers to practical understanding or shrewdness—the ability to make good judgments in everyday life or business, often described as “business savvy.” As an adjective, savvy describes someone who is knowledgeable and perceptive; for example, a savvy shopper or a savvy investor shows discernment and competence. As a verb, chiefly in informal speech, savvy means to understand or grasp something, as in “Do you savvy that?” or “I savvy the concept.”

Origin and history discussions point to an uncertain etymology. The word appeared in American English in the 18th or 19th century and has since spread widely. It is commonly associated with the notion of knowing, and while some explanations trace it to the French savoir (to know), the exact lineage remains debated. Its popularity grew with the expansion of business and technology vocabularies, including compounds like tech-savvy and data-savvy.

Usage notes emphasize that savvy tends to be informal. In formal writing, it is usually better to use precise terms such as knowledgeable, perceptive, or astute. In contemporary usage, savvy appears in many compound forms (for example, tech-savvy, business-savvy) and frequently functions as a broad label for practical competence in specific domains. Related terms include shrewd, astute, know-how, and savoir-faire.