smart

American  

[smahrt] / smɑrt /

verb (used without object)

1. to be a source of sharp, local, and usually superficial pain, as a wound.

   Synonyms:

   sting, hurt, pain

2. to be the cause of a sharp, stinging pain, as an irritating application, a blow, etc.

3. to feel a sharp, stinging pain, as in a wound.

4. to suffer keenly from wounded feelings.

   She smarted under their criticism.

5. to feel shame or remorse or to suffer in punishment or in return for something.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to cause a sharp pain to or in.

adjective

smarter, smartest

1. quick or prompt in action, as persons.

   Synonyms:

   active, alert, agile, nimble, lively

2. having or showing quick intelligence or ready mental capability.

   a smart student.

   Synonyms:

   adroit, expert, sharp, bright

   Antonyms:

   stupid

3. shrewd or sharp, as a person in dealing with others or as in business dealings.

   a smart businessman.

   Synonyms:

   adept, cunning

4. clever, witty, or readily effective, as a speaker, speech, rejoinder, etc.

5. dashingly or impressively neat or trim in appearance, as persons, dress, etc.

   Synonyms:

   showy, pretentious, spruce

6. socially elegant; sophisticated or fashionable.

   the smart crowd.

   Synonyms:

   chic

7. saucy; pert.

   smart remarks.

8. sharply brisk, vigorous, or active.

   to walk with smart steps.

   Synonyms:

   energetic

9. sharply severe, as a blow, stroke, etc.

10. sharp or keen.

    a smart pain.

    Synonyms:

    penetrating, poignant

11. Digital Technology.

    1. (of a machine, system, etc.) equipped with electronic control mechanisms, software programs, etc., and capable of remote, automated, and seemingly intelligent operation.

       smart copiers;

       smart weapons;

       a smart thermostat.

    2. equipped with microprocessors, as for data processing, internet access, etc. (usually used in combination).

       a smartphone;

       a smartwatch.

12. having properties that can be changed in response to stimuli or environmental conditions; self-regulating.

    smart fabrics that respond to temperature or light.

13. Older Use. considerable; fairly large.

adverb

1. in a smart manner; smartly.

noun

1. a sharp local pain, usually superficial, as from a wound, blow, or sting.

2. keen mental suffering, as from wounded feelings, affliction, grievous loss, etc.

3. Slang. smarts, intelligence; common sense.

   He never had the smarts to use his opportunities.

smart ¹ British  

/ smɑːt /

adjective

1. astute, as in business; clever or bright

2. quick, witty, and often impertinent in speech

   a smart talker

3. fashionable; chic

   a smart hotel

4. well-kept; neat

5. causing a sharp stinging pain

6. vigorous or brisk

7. dialect considerable or numerous

   a smart price

8. (of systems) operating as if by human intelligence by using automatic computer control

9. (of a projectile or bomb) containing a device that allows it to be guided to its target

---

verb

1. to feel, cause, or be the source of a sharp stinging physical pain or keen mental distress

   a nettle sting smarts

   he smarted under their abuse

2. (often foll by for) to suffer a harsh penalty

noun

1. a stinging pain or feeling

adverb

1. in a smart manner

Smart ² British  

/ smɑːt /

noun

1. Christopher. 1722–71, British poet, author of A Song to David (1763) and Jubilate Agno (written 1758–63, published 1939). He was confined (1756–63) for religious mania and died in a debtors' prison

---

Other Word Forms

• smartingly adverb
• smartish adjective
• smartly adverb
• smartness noun
• supersmart adjective
• supersmartness noun
• ultrasmart adjective
• unsmart adjective
• unsmarting adjective

Etymology

Origin of smart

First recorded before 1050; Middle English (verb) smerten, Old English -smeortan (only in the compound fyrsmeortende “painful like fire”), cognate with Old High German smerzan ( German schmerzen ); (adjective) Middle English smerte, smart “quick, prompt, sharp,” originally, “biting, smarting,” late Old English smearte, akin to the verb; (adverb and noun) Middle English smerte, derivative of the adjective

Example Sentences

Oonagh says she was filmed by a man using smart glasses, which have inbuilt cameras, without her knowledge or consent.

From BBC

"That can be a really smart strategy for getting much closer to that career change."

From BBC

Refinancing auto loans is another smart way to free up dollars, and many lenders don’t charge a fee to apply.

From MarketWatch

Refinancing auto loans is another smart way to free up dollars, and many lenders don’t charge a fee to apply.

From MarketWatch

Financial experts say early-career workers can learn from these supersavers — not by chasing outsized returns, but by starting early and making smart, consistent choices.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• agile
• astute
• bold
• brainy
• bright
• brilliant
• canny
• crafty
• good
• nimble
• quick
• resourceful
• sharp
• shrewd
• slick
• wise