smart

SMART/smɑɹt/UKSMAHT/smɑːt/

Adjectivesmarter, smartest

Noun pluralsmarts

15 meanings of smart

Practice

1
adjective
Clever and quick to learn and understand things.
Like having a head full of facts from many books.
She's really smart and remembers everything she reads.
My smart cousin aced every test after hours of reading.
UsageSay smart about something: smart about money.
Similarintelligent, clever, bright, sharp, brainy
Oppositestupid, dumb, dim, slow
2
computerizedadjectivein compounds
Able to work in a clever way using computer technology, like a phone or watch.
Like a toy that can think a little and answer you.
My smart speaker plays music whenever I ask it to.
We bought a smart thermostat that learns when we are home.
UsageSome are one word (smartphone), some are two (smart TV). The opposite is dumb.
Similarintelligent, connected, computerized
Oppositedumb
Note
3
adjective
Quick and full of energy, like a fast walk or a sharp salute.
She walked at a smart pace to catch the early bus.
The young soldier gave the officer a smart salute.
UsageUsed in phrases like a smart pace or a smart salute.
Note
4
well dressedadjective
Looking neat and stylish, or, in older use, showy in a way meant to impress people.
Like clothes that are clean and just right for a special day.
He looked very smart in his new suit.
She wore a smart dress to the party.
UsageFor clothes, say you look smart. You're smart usually means clever.
Similarstylish, elegant, neat, chic, dapper
Oppositescruffy, shabby, untidy, sloppy
Note
5
cheekyadjective
Funny in a clever but rude way that can annoy people.
Like a joke that is clever but a little mean.
Don't be smart with your teacher when she asks you a question.
His smart answer made everyone laugh but upset the coach.
UsageDon't get smart with me means stop answering back rudely.
Similarcheeky, impertinent, insolent, flippant, sassy
Oppositerespectful, polite, deferential
Note
6
noun
Being clever, or knowing in a practical way how to get things done.
It takes real smarts to fix a car with no manual.
My little sister has the smarts to win that quiz show.
Similarbrains, savvy, know-how, intelligence
Note

Less common meanings

7
feel hurtverbintransitive
To feel a sharp pain, or to suffer because of something bad.
She was still smarting from her boss's harsh words.
Players often smart for days after losing a big game.
UsageSay what hurts with from or under: smarting from a defeat. Smart for it means be punished.
Similarsuffer, pay, hurt
Note
8
stingverbintransitive
To hurt with a sharp, stinging pain, or to cause that pain.
Like the sharp sting you feel when soap gets in your eyes.
My eyes smart whenever I chop onions.
The scratch smarted all afternoon.
UsageUsually the sore part is the subject: my eyes smart. Add from or with for the cause: eyes smarting from smoke.
Similarsting, burn
9
nouncountable
A sharp pain, either in your body or a hurt feeling.
Like the quick sting you feel right after a paper cut.
She felt a sudden smart in her wounded hand.
The smart of the cut faded after a few minutes.
UsageUsually said as the smart of something.
Note
10
quick and hardadjective
Quick and hard, like a hit that hurts.
Like a quick, hard tap that you feel right away.
He gave the door a smart knock and waited.
She gave the ball a smart kick toward the goal.
UsageUsed in phrases like a smart blow or a smart slap. It does not mean clever.
Similarsharp, hard, stinging, forceful
Oppositegentle, light, soft
Note
11
painful (emotion)adjective
Sharp and strongly felt, like deep sadness.
Similarsharp, keen, acute, bitter, intense
Oppositemild, faint, dull
12
dandynoundatedcountable
A stylish, lively person who dresses well and acts clever.
Similardandy, beau, fop, dude, gallant
Note
13
hard (after right)adjectivedatedSouthern US
Very strong or painful in feeling, usually with the word right before it.
Similarhard, bad, nasty, sharp
Note
14
hard-workingadjectivedialectalAppalachia
Working hard and putting in a lot of effort.
Granny called him smart because he never stopped working from sunup to sundown.
Folks up the holler said she was smart, always busy and never resting.
Similarindustrious, hardworking, diligent, energetic, assiduous
Oppositelazy, idle, indolent, slothful
Note
15
nounslang
Short for smart money: money put in by investors who seem to know best.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of smart apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 7–8

This is the verb 'to smart'. It comes from Old English and older Germanic words meaning 'to hurt or ache'.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

This origin concerns the verb smart. en.wiktionary.org
The verb comes from Old English and earlier Germanic ancestors. en.wiktionary.org
The ancestral Germanic verb meant 'to hurt or ache'. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 1–6, 10–11, 13–14

This is the adjective 'smart'. It comes from an Old English word 'smeart' meaning 'painful' or 'stinging'.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The adjective smart derives from Old English smeart. en.wiktionary.org
Old English smeart meant painful or stinging. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 9, 12

This noun comes from the verb 'smerten' ('to smart') in Middle English.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The noun derives from Middle English smerten through the noun smerte. en.wiktionary.org
Middle English smerten is a verb meaning 'to smart'. en.wiktionary.org