smart

²smart

verb

Definition of SMART

intransitive verb

1

: to cause or be the cause or seat of a sharp stinging pain; also : to feel or have such a pain

2

a : to feel or endure distress, remorse, or embarrassment <smarting from wounded vanity — W. L. Shirer> b : to pay a heavy or stinging penalty <would have to smart for this foolishness>

Examples of SMART

1. Her eyes were smarting from the smoke.
2. <the injection only smarted for a moment>

Origin of SMART

Middle English smerten, from Old English smeortan; akin to Old High German smerzan to pain

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SMART

Synonyms: ache, pain, hurt

Related Words: bite, bleed, burn, chafe, cramp, fester, itch, nag, pinch, pound, rack, sting, swell, throb, tingle, twinge; agonize, anguish, suffer; afflict, harrow, torment, torture

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