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.
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
Q. Stuck in the middle: My father has always been a smart aleck who loves practical jokes and discreetly needling people.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2021
Since then, the driver says, “every smart aleck who thinks he can tell a joke has been circling Burbank like a vulture.”
From New York Times ● May 24, 2017
“A smart aleck, eh? Well, Mr. Rule Flouter, right down there in the forum—-Julia, point for me, please—” Julia dutifully set down the security tray and pointed toward the main plaza.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
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.
