Dictionary.com
definitions

smart ass

See more synonyms for smart ass on Thesaurus.com
noun Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.
  1. a wise guy; know-it-all.
Also smart·-ass·, smart·ass.

Origin of smart ass

First recorded in 1905–10

smart-ass

[smahrt-as]Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.
adjective
  1. Also smart-assed, smart·assed. characteristic of a smart ass or wise guy.
noun
  1. smart ass.

Origin of smart-ass

First recorded in 1955–60
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for smartass

impudent, bold, audacious, blatant, unabashed, shameless, know-it-all, forward, flip, brain, intellectual, braggart, windbag, wiseacre, barefaced, brassy, cheeky, cocky, defiant, flashy

Examples from the Web for smartass

Contemporary Examples of smartass

  • Later, after getting a smartass remark from Lewis, she demanded to know if he and his buddies were raising credit-card rates.

    The Daily Beast logo
    The Fools on the Hill

    Charlie Gasparino

    February 12, 2009

Word Origin and History for smartass

smart-ass

also smartass, 1960 (adj.), 1962 (n.), from smart (adj.) + ass (n.2).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper