smartness

noun

smart·​ness

plural -es

1

obsolete : something causing smarting pain or distress

2

: the quality or state of being smart in expression, appearance, or movement : liveliness of wit or manner : briskness, snappiness

smartness of an epigram

smartness of a ship

smartness of a uniform

smartness of a salute

smartness of pace

3

: the quality or state of being ultrafashionable, elegant, or sophisticated

smartness of their address

crowd … had a strong coloring of worldly smartness

—Thomas Wolfe

the smartness which is a characteristic achievement of most French girls

—Frank Brookhouser

4

: adroitness, cleverness, shrewdness

smartness in business

smartness of a scheme

especially : questionable shrewdness where self-interest is affected

a certain degree of unscrupulous smartness

—A. L. Guérard

Word History

Etymology

Middle English smartnes, from smart + -nes -ness

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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