streetwise

See also: street-wise

English

Alternative forms

• street-wise

Etymology

street +‎ -wise

Adjective

streetwise (comparative more streetwise, superlative most streetwise)

1. Having the necessary knack, personality and instinct for survival in rough, urban environments.
   • 1986, Bonnie Tyler (lyrics and music), “Holding Out for a Hero”, in Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire:

     Where's the streetwise Hercules / to fight the rising odds?

2. Possessing a style that embodies the life and microculture located within urban settings, typically in the States.

   You could tell from the way he spat old Tupac lyrics, loitering in the corner with his homies, flipping that Yankees cap on his head like he couldn't give a damn that he was streetwise enough to melt Will Smith.

Synonyms

• street-smart

See also

• street smarts