1. marked by practical hardheaded intelligence (Freq. 2) - a smart businessman - an astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease - he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow • Syn: astute, sharp • Similar to: smart • Derivationally related forms: shrewdness, sharpness (for: sharp), astuteness (for: astute) 2. used of persons - the most calculating and selfish men in the community • Syn: calculating, calculative, conniving, scheming • Similar to: hard • Derivationally related forms: shrewdness, calculate (for: calculative)