to be a source of sharp, local, and usually superficial pain, as a wound.
to be the cause of a sharp, stinging pain, as an irritating application, a blow, etc.
to feel a sharp, stinging pain, as in a wound.
to suffer keenly from wounded feelings.
She smarted under their criticism.
to feel shame or remorse or to suffer in punishment or in return for something.
quick or prompt in action, as persons.
having or showing quick intelligence or ready mental capability.
a smart student.
shrewd or sharp, as a person in dealing with others or as in business dealings.
a smart businessman.
clever, witty, or readily effective, as a speaker, speech, rejoinder, etc.
dashingly or impressively neat or trim in appearance, as persons, dress, etc.
socially elegant; sophisticated or fashionable.
the smart crowd.
saucy; pert.
smart remarks.
sharply brisk, vigorous, or active.
to walk with smart steps.
sharply severe, as a blow, stroke, etc.
sharp or keen.
a smart pain.
Digital Technology.
(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.
equipped with microprocessors, as for data processing, internet access, etc. (usually used in combination).
a smartphone;
a smartwatch.
having properties that can be changed in response to stimuli or environmental conditions; self-regulating.
smart fabrics that respond to temperature or light.
Older Use. considerable; fairly large.
a sharp local pain, usually superficial, as from a wound, blow, or sting.
keen mental suffering, as from wounded feelings, affliction, grievous loss, etc.
Slang. smarts, intelligence; common sense.
He never had the smarts to use his opportunities.
astute, as in business; clever or bright
quick, witty, and often impertinent in speech
a smart talker
fashionable; chic
a smart hotel
well-kept; neat
causing a sharp stinging pain
vigorous or brisk
dialect considerable or numerous
a smart price
(of systems) operating as if by human intelligence by using automatic computer control
(of a projectile or bomb) containing a device that allows it to be guided to its target
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
(often foll by for) to suffer a harsh penalty
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
Although smart is most often used to describe someone who is intelligent, you can also call someone a smart, chic dresser or a smart, sassy wisecracker. Smart often implies something good, but not always. If someone cautions you, "Don't be smart with me!" — they are demanding that you stop acting so bold and rude. As a verb, if something smarts, then it hurts. If your knee smarts, then you probably whacked it. However, if someone says that you are a smart dresser or a smart thinker, you can take those comments as compliments.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“At this point, I think a lot of people are looking at Chicago and thinking they were the smart ones,” Rothenberg said.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
As landscaping costs rise, these projects offer lessons in making smart design decisions—whether you’re looking to spend $5,000 or $500,000.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
If they succeed, the big outlays will look smart and depreciation won’t be much of a concern.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
And "strong", "committed", "smart" Powell was the right person for the job, according to Trump.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
I’ve never broken a quadruple promise before, but one hour into our first job and I’m questioning why I thought caring for three children was a smart idea.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
