smart ass

¹

noun

, Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.

1. a wise guy; know-it-all.

smart-ass

²

[ smahrt-as ]

adjective

1. Also smart-assed, smartassed. characteristic of a smart ass or wise guy.

noun

1. smart ass.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smart ass¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Origin of smart ass²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

In fact, the smart-ass speeches go on and on and on, the actors seemingly in love with the sound of their voices.

From The Daily Beast

If it's not pollsters, it's some smart-ass blogger trying to provoke us to say something against blacks or gays or Mexicans.

From The Daily Beast

Every woman on the planet has sass and smart-ass qualities in them, but it seems sometimes only black women are defined by it.

From The Daily Beast

Even in the chaos, I could still manage the smart-ass remark.

From The Daily Beast

Franken is seen as a mean-spirited, nasty guy—a smart ass.

From The Daily Beast

It was a geek accent, and it made you sound like a smart-ass instead of a sharp operator.

From Project Gutenberg