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.

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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

Smartly, this week’s “SNL” was calibrated to both sides of Goggins; he’s an excellent dramatic actor even when he’s doing comedy, and he’s good at playing ridiculous characters such as Uncle Baby Billy on “Gemstones.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2025

Smartly, Liang is clued into the fact that Chloe is at most her destructive when she’s putting on a show of being confident and happy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2025

Smartly, Joe and Gwen are more petulant than pitiful.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2022

Smartly, the show centers on a group of Vikings from Greenland, including Leif and Freydís, who have traveled a great, tumultuous distance by boat, hellbent on a noble mission of revenge.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2022

Smartly it came, and the stillness of the winter night was shattered….

From Till the Clock Stops by Bell, J. J. (John Joy)

Related Words

• stylishly
• vigorously