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Definition of streetwise
: possessing the skills and attitudes necessary to survive in a difficult or dangerous situation or environment
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Recent Examples of streetwise from the Web
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Frank Sinatra played the streetwise impresario Nathan Detroit in the 1955 film adaptation; Marlon Brando portrayed the high-stakes gambler Sky Masterson.
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Shopping Cart icon Buy Photo Marc Blitzstein has long been known as a musicians’ musician — a streetwise version of Irving Berlin, a pioneer of a distinctly American sound in opera, and an artist-agitator of the first order.
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Shopping Cart icon Buy Photo Marc Blitzstein has long been known as a musicians’ musician — a streetwise version of Irving Berlin, a pioneer of a distinctly American sound in opera, and an artist-agitator of the first order.
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The wealthy, cultured Philippe prefers opera and classical music, while the streetwise Driss favors classic American R&B by such groups as Earth, Wind & Fire and Kool and the Gang.
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Any number of responses might suggest themselves, particularly to the unwary, and those who are not particularly streetwise.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Blaine Griffin's appointment to Cleveland City Council today injects into the 17-member body a thoughtful and streetwise advocate for residents.
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At turns streetwise and geeky, Alonzo riffs on the vicissitudes of life as a Mexican-American who grew up poor and navigates life as an outsider to what is considered mainstream culture.
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The movie’s protagonist, Chris, a photographer, has a somewhat distracted, idealized yet tense air, especially as compared to his best friend, Rod (Lil Rel Howery), a T.S.A. agent who’s much more practical, streetwise, and freewheeling.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'streetwise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of streetwise
1949
STREETWISE Defined for English Language Learners
streetwise
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adjective
Definition of streetwise for English Language Learners
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: having the knowledge needed to survive in difficult and dangerous places or situations in a city
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