smart

[ smahrt ]

/ smɑrt /

See synonyms for: smart / smarter / smartest / smarting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

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.

verb (used with object)

to cause a sharp pain to or in.

adjective, smart·er, smart·est.

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.

(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.

Computers. intelligent (def. 4).

Older Use. considerable; fairly large.

adverb

in a smart manner; smartly.

noun

a sharp local pain, usually superficial, as from a wound, blow, or sting.

keen mental suffering, as from wounded feelings, affliction, grievous loss, etc.

smarts, Slang. intelligence; common sense: He never had the smarts to use his opportunities.

SYNONYMS FOR smart

1 pain, hurt, sting.

7 lively, nimble, agile, alert, active.

8 bright, sharp, expert, adroit.

9 cunning, adept.

11 spruce; pretentious, showy.

12 chic.

14 energetic.

16 stinging, poignant, penetrating.

See synonyms for smart on Thesaurus.com

ANTONYMS FOR smart

8 stupid.

See antonyms for smart on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?

Question 1 of 10

seclusion

a false belief or opinion.

the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.

the state of being isolated, kept apart, or withdrawn into solitude.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of smart

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

OTHER WORDS FROM smart

smart·ing·ly, adverbsmartly, adverbsmartness, nounsu·per·smart, adjective

su·per·smart·ly, adverbsu·per·smart·ness, nounul·tra·smart, adjectiveun·smart, adjectiveun·smart·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for smart

Why the former Florida governor would be smarter to sit out 2016.
Be the Smarter Bush Brother, Jeb: Don’t Run!|Michael Tomasky|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You were certain that she was smarter than you, lovelier than you, more interesting than you.
Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent?|David Yaffe|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The irony is that shows that are meant to be funny are often also the smarter shows.
Wanted: Less Terrible Political Coverage on TV|Matt Lewis|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nap Smarter So how do you make the most of your precious nap-time minutes?
13 Tips for the Best Nap Ever|DailyBurn|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They are threatened by smarter, younger kids that are coming up that are willing to do three, four and five different pieces.
GOP Says ‘Hey Ladies’ But Little Else About Winning Women|David Freedlander|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"You might a-known then he was smarter 'n lightnin'," said another.
The Little Gold Miners of the Sierras and Other Stories|Various
"Well, I think your pony is smarter than we knew," said Mr. Brown.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and Their Shetland Pony|Laura Lee Hope
I had an idea that these men wouldnt be any smarter than me.
The Bashful Lover (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIX)|Charles Paul de Kock
They are infinitely readier, smarter, and wittier than Englishmen.
Cornelius O'Dowd Upon Men And Women And Other Things In General|Charles Lever
They've got to be humored, and teased, and exercised, and petted—and the smarter they are the more petting they need.
Why Joan?|Eleanor Mercein Kelly

British Dictionary definitions for smart (1 of 2)

smart

/ (smɑːt) /

adjective

astute, as in business; clever or bright

quick, witty, and often impertinent in speecha smart talker

fashionable; chica smart hotel

well-kept; neat

causing a sharp stinging pain

vigorous or brisk

dialect considerable or numerousa 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

verb (mainly intr)

to feel, cause, or be the source of a sharp stinging physical pain or keen mental distressa nettle sting smarts; he smarted under their abuse

(often foll by for) to suffer a harsh penalty

noun

a stinging pain or feeling

adverb

in a smart manner

Derived forms of smart

smartish, adjectivesmartly, adverbsmartness, noun

Word Origin for smart

Old English smeortan; related to Old High German smerzan, Latin mordēre to bite, Greek smerdnos terrible

British Dictionary definitions for smart (2 of 2)

Smart

/ (smɑːt) /

noun

Christopher. 1722–71, British poet, author of A Song to David (1763) and Jubilate Agno (written 1758–63, published 1939). He was confined (1756–63) for religious mania and died in a debtors' prison

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

smart

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

adjective, smart·er, smart·est.

adverb

noun

SYNONYMS FOR smart

ANTONYMS FOR smart

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

Origin of smart

OTHER WORDS FROM smart

Example sentences from the Web for smart

British Dictionary definitions for smart (1 of 2)

adjective

verb (mainly intr)

noun

adverb

Derived forms of smart

Word Origin for smart

British Dictionary definitions for smart (2 of 2)

noun

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

smart

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

adjective, smart·er, smart·est.

adverb

noun

SYNONYMS FOR smart

ANTONYMS FOR smart

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

Origin of smart

OTHER WORDS FROM smart

Words related to smart

Example sentences from the Web for smart

British Dictionary definitions for smart (1 of 2)

adjective

verb (mainly intr)

noun

adverb

Derived forms of smart

Word Origin for smart

British Dictionary definitions for smart (2 of 2)

noun