smart

[ smahrt ]

/ smɑrt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR smart 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 and capable of automated and seemingly intelligent operation: smart copiers; smart weapons.

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.

Nearby words

smaragd, smaragdine, smaragdite, smarm, smarmy, smart, smart aleck, smart as a whip, smart ass, smart bomb, smart card

Origin of smart

before 1050; (v.) Middle English smerten, Old English -smeortan (only in the compound fyrsmeortende painful like fire), cognate with Old High German smerzan (German schmerzen); (adj.) Middle English smerte, smart quick, prompt, sharp, orig., biting, smarting, late Old English smearte, akin to the v.; (adv. and noun) Middle English smerte, derivative of the adj.

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 MORE SYNONYMS FOR smart ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR smart

8 stupid.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR smart ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

smart·ing·ly, adverbsmart·ly, adverbsmart·ness, 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for smarter

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 smarter (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

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 smarter (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