smart

adjective

\ ˈsmärt

Definition of smart

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : making one smart : causing a sharp stinging

2 : marked by often sharp forceful activity or vigorous strength a smart pull of the starter cord

3 : brisk, spirited a smart pace

4a : mentally alert : bright

b : knowledgeable

c : shrewd a smart investment

5a : witty, clever a smart sitcom

b : rude or impolite in a bold and disrespectful way : pert don't get smart with me

6a : neat, trim soldiers in smart uniforms

b : stylish or elegant in dress or appearance

c(1) : appealing to sophisticated tastes

(2) : characteristic of or patronized by fashionable society

7a : being a guided missile a laser-guided smart bomb

b : operating by automation a smart machine tool

c : using a built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for processing of data, or for achieving greater versatility a smart card By now we're familiar with smart electricity grids, those IT-enhanced networks that generate and distribute power locally …— Robert Visscher

smart

verb

smarted; smarting; smarts

Definition of smart (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

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

2a : 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

smart

noun

Definition of smart (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a smarting pain especially : a stinging local pain

2 : poignant grief or remorse was not the sort to get over smarts— Sir Winston Churchill

3 smarts plural, slang : intelligence, know-how

smart

adverb

Definition of smart (Entry 4 of 4)

: in a smart manner : smartly

Other Words from smart Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about smart

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Synonyms & Antonyms for smart

Synonyms: Adjective

dapper, natty, sharp, snappy, spruce

Synonyms: Verb

ache, hurt, pain

Synonyms: Noun

ache, pain, pang, prick, shoot, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, twinge

Antonyms: Adjective

disheveled (or dishevelled), frowsy (or frowzy), sloppy, slovenly, unkempt

Examples of smart in a Sentence

Adjective

Poodles are said to be smart dogs. That was a smart investment. He gave her a smart answer.

Verb

Her eyes were smarting from the smoke. the injection only smarted for a moment

Noun

the toddler was whining over the smart from the cut she had the smarts to start college at age 16, but perhaps not the emotional maturity

Adverb

He plays smart and the fans appreciate that. I dress smarter than she does. Play it smart during the contract negotiations and you'll get more vacation time.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

As consumers get smarter, brands are expected to offer everything from cruelty-free and vegan formulas to all-encompassing shade ranges and eco-friendly packaging. — Samantha Sasso, refinery29.com, "This Under-$15 Skin-Care Brand Is Giving Back To The U.S. Military In A Big Way," 24 Aug. 2019 In addition to enabling voice and text, KaiOS is designed to enable low-end affordable phones to have some smart device capabilities including internet access, social media, OTT services and other functionalities enabled in KaiOS’ limited ecosystem. — Paul Adepoju, Quartz Africa, "The path to the next billion internet users is through feature phones," 23 Aug. 2019 At the same time, Sonos is looking to differentiate itself from rivals in the smart speaker market, including Amazon (AMZN), with the introduction of another new speaker. — Kaya Yurieff, CNN, "Sonos finally introduces a portable speaker," 5 Sep. 2019 That’s not the case at all, says Rodgers, one of the smartest quarterbacks around. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, "A look at how the Bears’ NFC North rivals are shaping up for 2019," 4 Sep. 2019 Customers can request deliveries online or via Alexa, the tech giant's virtual home assistant that can be accessed with an Echo smart home device. — Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star, "Amazon launches on-demand grocery delivery service for Prime members in Indianapolis," 4 Sep. 2019 The utility was able to use its smart-grid technology to turn power back on at some sites while utility crews worked on others. — Marcia Heroux Pounds, sun-sentinel.com, "Nearly 70,000 outages restored amid Hurricane Dorian," 4 Sep. 2019 For our curious, smart readers: Find more on the Odessa gunman's background with this story on his home life on our subscriber website, HoustonChronicle.com. — Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "Everything we know about the Odessa gunman, Seth Ator," 4 Sep. 2019 The smart enterprise of the future will need a constantly evolving rotation of systems and skills, employed by adaptable and flexible workers. — Oliver Staley, Quartz at Work, "Whatever happened to Six Sigma?," 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

With one out and the Tribe smarting under a two-hit diet, pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell dropped a single into rightfield. — Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, "65 years ago, Tigers legend Al Kaline threw a runner out — from his butt," 10 Aug. 2019 Transparency suffers: Open government advocates are smarting from a pair of blows they were dealt in the legislative session’s final weeks. — Russell Blair, courant.com, "Capitol Week in Review: Tolls vote still looming as General Assembly session ends," 7 June 2019 But Taystee, smarting at Cindy’s betrayal, mails Monica a letter revealing the truth about her mother. — Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, "So, you stopped watching ‘Orange Is the New Black’ three seasons ago? Here’s how it ends.," 26 July 2019 But for a Rust Belt city still smarting from the 2008 financial crisis, with crushing pension debt and a $3.7 million operating deficit, what a casino will do to lift it up remains to be seen. — Jason Grotto, ProPublica, "From Truck Stops to Elections, a River of Gambling Money Is Flooding Waukegan," 8 Aug. 2019 Cal then opens Pac-12 play Sept. 7 at defending Pac-12 champion Washington, which will be smarting from the Bears’ upset win in Berkeley last year. — Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, "Cal Football: Bears begin fall camp focused on making offensive improvements," 30 July 2019 There also is an aging generation of fans here still smarting from the way the New York Jets and Mets broke their hearts in 1969. — Peter Schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Mussina’s departure from Orioles still rankles some, but decision might have paved his way to Cooperstown," 18 July 2019 Paul McCartney, still smarting over the loss of rights to the Beatles' catalog to Michael Jackson, is eager to use these termination rights to get his rights back. — Ryan Prior, CNN, "When it comes to losing the rights to her own songs, Taylor Swift is the norm, not the exception," 1 July 2019 Fans of the women’s team are still smarting over Trump’s earlier treatment of Rapinoe. — Ephrat Livni, Quartzy, "Reactions to the US winning the Women’s World Cup for a fourth time," 7 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Versatile back with smarts, vision and 1,500 total yards Charlie Mossy | Bishop’s | DE | Sr. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "2019 prep football players to watch," 21 Aug. 2019 Dao-Yi Chow, of Public School, wants to bring some ready-to-wear smarts back into the performance wear market with his new project: rehabbing Sergio Tacchini. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Dao-Yi Chow Has a New Take on Tennis Apparel," 20 Aug. 2019 Special praise to director Kevin Rodney Sullivan, whose mature hand blends sexiness with smarts. — Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, "'How Stella Got Her Groove Back': THR's 1998 Review," 14 Aug. 2019 His smarts and movement skills away from the ball were obvious as well -- all while being coached up by Beilein and Cleveland’s revamped staff throughout the game. — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, "Dylan Windler’s promising debut not enough, Cleveland Cavaliers lose Salt Lake City Summer League opener, 97-89," 2 July 2019 If only its smarts were as compelling as its looks. — Dan Seifert, The Verge, "The Cortana-powered GLAS thermostat has more beauty than brains," 29 Aug. 2018 Robbie Grossman, batting with the bases loaded and one out, supplied the smarts. — Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, "Franklin Barreto swats three-run homer as A’s roll past White Sox," 13 July 2019 President Barack Obama has praised Harris for her smarts and her toughness. — Peter Marks, Washington Post, "An aura of authority," 24 June 2019 The game, however, is also a reminder that Alexa doesn’t exactly have host-level smarts. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, "Westworld’s free Alexa game is like a radio drama crossed with a quiz show," 20 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

All this talk about getting smart and standing up to immigrants is a giant con. — William Saletan, Slate Magazine, "How Russia exploits American racism and xenophobia for its own gain.," 31 Mar. 2017 Adams, son of the second president, and sixth president himself, was smart, omnivorous, observant, bitchy, and hilarious (though always unintentionally). — Nr Symposium, National Review, "It’s Summer, Time to Catch Up on Your Reading — A Symposium," 31 July 2017 Work hard and smart now as this cycle of high dynamics won’t last forever. — Jeraldine Saunders, The Mercury News, "Horoscope: March 29, 2017," 29 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smart.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of smart

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for smart

Adjective

Middle English smert causing pain, from Old English smeart; akin to Old English smeortan

Verb

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

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Dictionary Entries near smart

Statistics for smart

Last Updated

8 Sep 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for smart

The first known use of smart was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for smart

smart

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of smart

(Entry 1 of 3)

: very good at learning or thinking about things

: showing intelligence or good judgment

informal + disapproving : behaving or talking in a rude or impolite way : showing a lack of respect for someone

smart

verb

English Language Learners Definition of smart (Entry 2 of 3)

: to feel a sudden sharp pain

: to be upset about something

smart

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of smart (Entry 3 of 3)

: in a smart way

See the full definition for smart in the English Language Learners Dictionary

smart

adjective

\ ˈsmärt

smarter; smartest

Kids Definition of smart

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : quick to learn or do : bright smart students

2 : showing good judgment : wise a smart decision

3 : fresh sense 8 “You tryin’ to be smart with me, boy?”— Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh

4 : stylish and fashionable a smart dresser

5 : brisk sense 1, spirited I was walking at a smart pace.

6 : controlled by computers and able to do things that seem intelligent a smart machine

smart

verb

smarted; smarting

Kids Definition of smart (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to cause or feel a sharp stinging pain My eyes were smarting from the smoke.

2 : to be upset She's still smarting from the criticism.

smart

noun

Kids Definition of smart (Entry 3 of 3)

: a stinging pain usually in one spot

smart

intransitive verb

\ ˈsmärt

Medical Definition of smart

: to cause or be the cause or seat of a sharp poignant pain rapid fatigue with burning and smarting of the conjunctiva— H. G. Armstrong also : to feel or have such a pain