street smarts

plural noun

Synonyms of street smartsnext
: the quality of being streetwise

Examples of street smarts in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Maddy kills Alamo—then somehow uses the street smarts and instincts that have kept her alive this long to walk away clean. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026 Every person and system is fallible, but there’s no substitute for instinct and street smarts — can a robot achieve that kind of intelligence? — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026 Consider that a human chess grandmaster might lack street smarts, and that a literary theorist might struggle with algebra. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026 At the top of the episode, Sugar offers Val a full-time job, seeing her discipline, resourcefulness, and street smarts as qualities of a reliable partner. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for street smarts

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of street smarts was in 1966

Rhymes for street smarts

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Browse Nearby Words

street-smart
street smarts
street theater
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Cite this Entry

“Street smarts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/street%20smarts. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

street smarts

plural noun
: the quality of being streetwise

More from Merriam-Webster on street smarts

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for street smarts

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