Streetwise

Pronunciation: /striːtwaɪz/

Definitions of streetwise

adjective possessing the shrewd awareness, experience, and resourcefulness needed for survival in a difficult, often dangerous urban environment

Example Sentences

A1 She is very streetwise and knows how to navigate the city on her own.

A2 The streetwise teenager was able to avoid getting into trouble in the rough neighborhood.

B1 Growing up in a tough area made him streetwise and able to handle himself in difficult situations.

B2 The detective was known for being streetwise and always one step ahead of the criminals.

C1 His streetwise attitude helped him succeed in the competitive business world.

C2 The streetwise entrepreneur knew how to navigate the complexities of the industry and come out on top.

Examples of streetwise in a Sentence

formal The streetwise entrepreneur was able to navigate the complexities of the business world with ease.

informal She's so streetwise, she always knows the best shortcuts to avoid traffic.

slang He's streetwise, so you can trust him to know how to handle himself in any situation.

figurative Being streetwise doesn't just mean knowing the literal streets, it also means having a keen sense of awareness and adaptability.

Grammatical Forms of streetwise

• past tense: streetwised
• plural: streetwises
• comparative: more streetwise
• superlative: most streetwise
• present tense: streetwise
• future tense: will be streetwise
• perfect tense: have been streetwise
• continuous tense: is being streetwise
• singular: streetwise
• positive degree: streetwise
• infinitive: to be streetwise
• gerund: being streetwise
• participle: streetwise

Origin and Evolution of streetwise

First Known Use: 1960 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'streetwise' originated in English-speaking urban areas as a colloquial expression to describe someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in navigating the challenges of city life.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe individuals who were savvy and resourceful in urban environments, 'streetwise' has evolved to also connote a sense of practical wisdom and adaptability in various situations beyond just city life.