street-cred
/ˈstriːt kred/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Informal respect or trust from people who seem tough, fashionable, or real. It means others see you as believable or socially respected in a cool, authentic way.
- That story gave him more street-cred.
- She lost street-cred after changing her opinion.
- The brand tries to build street-cred.
Adinary Nuance
Street-cred is more casual and social than respect or reputation. It suggests approval from a cool or tough group, not general public approval. Writers use it when they want to sound informal and slightly playful. It is not the same as authority or prestige.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- uy tín
- Spanish
- credibilidad
- Chinese
- 街头信誉
- Japanese
- ストリート系の信用
- Korean
- 스트리트 신뢰도
Etymology
Short for street credibility, a modern informal phrase from late 20th-century English. It became common in urban and youth culture, then spread into wider everyday use.
Common phrases
lose street-credgain street-credbuild street-credstreet-cred points
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is street-cred formal or informal?
- It is informal. Use it in conversation, blogs, or casual writing, not in serious academic writing.
- What is the difference between street-cred and reputation?
- Reputation is broader and more neutral. Street-cred is about being seen as real, cool, or believable by a certain group.
- Can I use street-cred in business writing?
- Usually no. It sounds casual and slangy, so it can feel too informal for business reports.
- Does street-cred mean the same as credibility?
- Not exactly. Credibility is general trustworthiness, while street-cred is social and informal.