streetwise

adjective
UK: /ˈstriːt.waɪz/
US: /ˈstriːt.waɪz/

  1. Having the experience and knowledge necessary to deal with the potential difficulties or dangers of life in a big city.

    1. He's a streetwise kid.
    2. Growing up in a tough neighborhood made her streetwise and able to handle difficult situations.

  2. Practical and able to deal effectively with difficult or dangerous situations, especially in an urban environment. It suggests an understanding of how things really work, often outside of formal rules or institutions.

    1. You need to be streetwise to survive here.
    2. The film portrays a streetwise detective who knows the city's underbelly intimately.

Synonyms

sharp worldly cunning astute savvy
streetwise noun

  1. The quality of being streetwise; the ability to navigate urban environments and social situations effectively.

    1. His streetwise helped him avoid trouble.
    2. Her streetwise was evident in how she negotiated the crowded market.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "streetwise" in English means: Having the experience and knowledge necessary to deal with the potential difficulties or dangers of life in a big city., Practical and able to deal effectively with difficult or dangerous situations, especially in an urban environment. It suggests an understanding of how things really work, often outside of formal rules or institutions..

The phonetic transcription of "streetwise" is /ˈstriːt.waɪz/ in British English and /ˈstriːt.waɪz/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "streetwise": sharp, worldly, cunning, astute, savvy.

Example usage of "streetwise": "He's a streetwise kid.". More examples on the page.