wise in the ways or affairs of the world; = worldly-wise, adj.; (also more generally) †having secular knowledge, learned (obsolete).

Having or characterized by worldly wisdom; experienced in the ways of the world. Also as n.

Clever, intelligent, knowledgeable; capable, adept; quick at learning, responding intelligently to a situation, etc.; astute, shrewd; (of an action)…

Of action, speech: †Cunning, artful (obsolete); characterized by penetration or practical sagacity.

Unwilling to make concessions or to be swayed by sentiment, esp. in business dealings; practical, shrewd. Cf. hardhead, n.2 2a, hard-headed, adj. 3.

Acute or penetrating in intellect or perception. Of persons or their faculties: †(a) Intellectually acute, keen witted, discerning, sagacious (obs…

Esp. of a child or young adult: having the manners, temperament, or wisdom of an older person; characteristic of such a person; (sometimes more…

In colloquial phrases. up to snuff, knowing, sharp, not easily deceived; up to the required or usual standard, up to scratch. Also attributive.

Cautious and careful in worldly or business matters; worldly-wise, shrewd.

Having or demonstrating common sense; knowledgeable, experienced; knowing, shrewd. Also with to: aware of or knowledgeable about something specified.

Sophisticated, experienced, cosmopolitan; worldly-wise.

Cockney slang. Knowing, ‘fly’, conceited.

endowed with faculty; practical, shrewd.

Of a person: free of naïvety, experienced, worldly-wise; subtle, discriminating, refined, cultured; aware of, versed in, the complexities of a…

Well-informed, aware; in the know, shrewd. to be hep to: to be wise to, to be aware of. to put a person hep to: to make someone wise to…

Aware, well-informed; in the know. Often in to be (also get) hip to something: to be or become aware of or well-informed about something.

Of a person: that has the skills and knowledge necessary for dealing with modern urban life; smart; tough. Of a thing: suitable for or reflective…

U.S. slang. In African-American use: expert in and quick to react to the environment of the ‘street’; ‘streetwise’. Now rare.

= cool, adj. 8.