streetwise

or street-wise

[street-wahyz]

See more synonyms for streetwise on Thesaurus.com

adjective

street-smart.

Origin of streetwise

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; street + wise¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for streetwise

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

Examples from the Web for streetwise

Contemporary Examples of streetwise

Lynes is reminded “don't take photographs of the people and be streetwise” by his guide.
Can Hollywood Rejuvenate Detroit and America’s Bankrupt Cities?
David Levesley
May 15, 2014
He was a Harvard Law grad who was streetwise enough to demolish a heckler.
Death of the Comedian's Comedian
Gregory Gilderman
September 30, 2010
But instead of pointing fingers, law enforcement should focus on treating addicts, says one streetwise expert.
How Cleveland Enabled a Serial Killer
Mansfield Frazier
November 16, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for streetwise

streetwise

adjective

attuned to and adept at surviving in an urban, poor and often criminal environmentAlso: street-smart

Derived Formsstreet wisdom, noun

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

Word Origin and History for streetwise

adj.

1965, from street + wise (adj.) "smart, savvy."