smart money

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsmärt-ˌmə-nē 

: punitive damages

smart money

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈsmärt-ˈmə-nē 

-ˌmə-nē

1

: money ventured by one having inside information or much experience

2

: well-informed bettors or speculators

Examples of smart money in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The smart money was on the colorful, energetic Sinclair with a ready answer and the catchy acronym. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Brendan McDermid | Reuters There's something telling in how the smart money on Wall Street has started to think about socialism. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Every one of those moves is a bet on the danger premium, and the tell that separates the smart money from the crowd is which kind each player is trading on. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

The smart money is heavily on Ecuador. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

smart entry 3

Noun (2)

smart entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1707, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for smart money

• bunny
• funny
• gunny
• honey
• runny
• sonny
• sunny
• tunny

Legal Definition

smart money

1 of 2 noun

: punitive damages at damage 2

smart money

2 of 2 noun

1

: money invested by one having inside information or much experience

2

: well-informed investors or speculators

Etymology

Noun

smart pain