smart

[ smahrt ]

/ smɑrt /

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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.

Digital Technology.

(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.

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.

OTHER WORDS 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

OPPOSITES FOR smart

8 stupid.

See antonyms for smart on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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, adverbsmart·ly, adverbsmart·ness, nounsu·per·smart, adjective

su·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. 2023

How to use smart in a sentence

Agile marketers and smart automation will come together to power the messaging and experiences it takes to convert in upended markets.
Five SEO tips to dominate local search this holiday season|Jim Yu|November 20, 2020|Search Engine Watch
This means that email marketers will be able to work a lot smarter in their efforts to increase conversions and reduce the number of people who unsubscribe.
Email marketing in 2020: Four key things that made the difference|Toby Nwazor|November 19, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Today, Bose is one of the leading audio companies, with products ranging from wireless sport earbuds, portable speakers, smart speakers, noise-canceling headphones and other audio equipment.
Don’t miss out on the most unpredictable holiday season yet|Sponsored Content: Microsoft Advertising|November 18, 2020|Search Engine Land
The righty will be 37 next spring and just finished a two-year, $19 million contract that looked smart once Sánchez surged through the back half of 2019 and almost threw a no-hitter in the National League Championship Series.
The Blue Jays’ Robbie Ray signing could give the Nationals a template|Jesse Dougherty|November 9, 2020|Washington Post

The move was probably smart considering the Steelers’ kicking problems — Chris Boswell missed one extra point and had another blocked.
What to know for NFL Week 9: Tua Tagovailoa arrives, and Tom Brady’s Buccaneers take a beating|Adam Kilgore|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
My Brigadier also complimented me on the smartness of my guards at Brigade Headquarters.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie|George Brenton Laurie
I might tell a great many stories about the smartness of Rover; but on the whole I think I will forbear.
Stories about Animals: with Pictures to Match|Francis C. Woodworth
She was an inch taller than John Willie, too, which was another inch of smartness to be seen walking with.
Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions
And these two ships met, bow to bow, with such an energy of adventurous smartness, that both sharply sank.
The Lord of the Sea|M. P. Shiel
There are certain ways of extravagant smartness which are not considered to be good form among solid wealthy provincials.
The Regent|E. Arnold Bennett

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

smart

OTHER WORDS FOR smart

OPPOSITES FOR smart

Origin of smart

OTHER WORDS FROM smart

Words related to smart

How to use smart in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smart (1 of 2)

Derived forms of smart

Word Origin for smart

British Dictionary definitions for smart (2 of 2)