smart aleck
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of smart aleck
An Americanism first recorded in 1860–65; generic use of Aleck, nickname for Alexander
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’m a kid that grew up in Hollywood, and I went to Baghdad wearing a Metallica shirt and I was a total smart aleck.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025
Some sued, some sent smart aleck responses and some refused to answer the email.
From Salon • Feb. 27, 2025
The puppet replied, “Eddie, how long have you been on the air?” — leading Sullivan to retort, “Topo, nobody likes a smart aleck mouse.”
From Washington Post • Nov. 10, 2019
She’s still a downbeat smart aleck, but she can make you cry without appearing to do very much.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2018
Back home she could be a smart aleck sometimes, and how.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
