streetwise

or street-wise

[ street-wahyz ]

adjective

1. street-smart.

streetwise

/ ˈstriːtˌwaɪz /

adjective

1. attuned to and adept at surviving in an urban, poor and often criminal environment Alsostreet-smart

Derived Forms

• street wisdom, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of streetwise¹

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; street + wise ¹

Example Sentences

Paxton is a sweet and eager missionary born into the faith; Barnes joined by way of her mother’s conversion and seems a bit more streetwise.

From Los Angeles Times

Sean Dyche's side have got the nous and are streetwise, while Southampton are viewed by many as being naive and playing fantasy football, with their style of play under Russell Martin.

From BBC

They are playing like a Dyche team too - hardworking and streetwise, but with a bit of quality too.

From BBC

Mr Sa’adu advises the newcomers - often young people from far-away towns and villages - on how to be streetwise in fast-paced Lagos, where it is easy to fall into crime and drugs.

From BBC

“I’ve been doing this for years — I am streetwise, not an idiot.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astute
• cagey
• canny
• crafty
• farsighted
• ingenious
• judicious
• keen
• penetrating
• perceptive
• probing
• prudent
• sensible
• sharp
• slick
• sly
• smart
• wily
• wise