Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

smarty-pants

noun, plural in form but singular in construction \ ˈsmär-tē-ˌpan(t)s \

Definition of smarty-pants

: smart aleck
—

smarty-pants

adjective

First Known Use of smarty-pants

1935

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

SMARTY-PANTS Defined for English Language Learners

smarty-pants

noun

Definition of smarty-pants for English Language Learners

  • : a person who talks and behaves like someone who knows everything

Learn More about smarty-pants

  1. See words that rhyme with smarty-pants

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up smarty-pants? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games