smartly

American  

[smahrt-lee] / ˈsmɑrt li /

adverb

1. in a neat, trim way.

   At this boarding school, students must be smartly dressed and properly prepared for each class.

2. in an elegant, sophisticated, or fashionable way.

   The contemporary white cabinets are smartly accented by modern terracotta tile.

3. in a way that shows quick intelligence or good practical judgment.

   Smartly used, the tools I've highlighted will make you a better and more effective manager.

4. shrewdly or sharply, as in business; strategically.

   Plan smartly, act coolly, and then retaliate when it best suits you.

5. in a clever or witty way.

   The narrator in this song smartly observes that "the only thing that stays the same is everything changes."

6. quickly or promptly.

   When the drill sergeant gives them an order, the recruits obey smartly.

7. briskly or vigorously.

   The detective took the warrant from the officer and walked smartly into the inner office without knocking.

8. in a pert or saucy way.

   Asked if the two of them could stop bickering like children and listen up, she retorted smartly, "I can if he can."

9. in a sharp, precise, or severe way and with a cracking sound, as of striking or slapping.

   Under water, two rocks struck smartly together can be heard over a great distance.

   Mark out the shape of the hole by placing the metal plate in position and tapping it smartly with a hammer.

10. Digital Technology. in a remote, automated, self-regulating, or seemingly intelligent way that makes use of electronic control mechanisms and programming, microprocessors, internet access, etc..

    When our all-wheel drive system senses excessive slip, it smartly sends power to the wheel with the surest footing.

11. sharply or keenly, as pain.

    I refused to limp, though my shin hurt smartly from the blow.

---

Other Word Forms

• supersmartly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of smartly

First recorded in 1220–30; 2005–10 smartly for def. 10; smart ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Even getting the RF off the line smartly can be tricky.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Judge Gonzalez Rogers will decide by late May -- guided by the advisory jury's findings -- whether OpenAI broke a promise to Musk, or just smartly rode the technology to glory.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The Lakers embattled basketball boss smartly acquired renowned shooter Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in early February for Gabe Vincent and a second-round draft pick and … are you kidding me?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Do you have any suggestions for how to travel smartly with a furry companion?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

There were no paintings on the walls, but the Pastors had taped up pictures of smartly dressed women torn from Sears Roebuck catalogs.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• stylishly
• vigorously