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Synonyms

streetwise

American  
[street-wahyz] / ˈstritˌwaɪz /
Or street-wise

adjective

  1. street-smart.

streetwise British  
/ ˈstriːtˌwaɪz /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • street wisdom noun

Etymology

Origin of streetwise

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

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.

So, do I go with the energy of Leeds or back streetwise Palace?

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

His dark complexion, rustic drawl and streetwise swagger became integral to his cinematic identity.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

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 • Nov. 12, 2024

Brentford are the better team, and they are more streetwise.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2024

Goldman was from Queens, a streetwise, muscled Air Force veteran in his forties, and I considered him a stalwart.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.