smart aleck
Americannoun
noun
Other Word 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.
Some sued, some sent smart aleck responses and some refused to answer the email.
From Salon • Feb. 27, 2025
In real life, however, Mr. Jaffee was the opposite of a smart aleck: a genteel, unassuming man whose in-person humor was delivered with a wink, not a cudgel.
From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2023
OK, a smart aleck would say that’s a low bar.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2019
I was never a troublemaker, but I was always a smart aleck.
From Slate • Feb. 21, 2018
Her name was Mathona and she was a bit of a smart aleck.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
