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smart definition

smart (smärt)

intransitive verb

    1. to cause sharp, stinging pain, as a slap
    2. to be the source of such pain, as a wound
    3. to feel such pain
  1. to feel mental distress or irritation, as in resentment, remorse, etc.

Etymology: ME smerten < OE smeortan, akin to Ger schmerzen < IE *mer-d < base *mer-, to rub away, fret > L mordere, to bite, sting, Gr smerdnos, frightful

transitive verb

to cause to smart

noun

  1. a smarting sensation, pain or distress
  2. Slang shrewdness, intelligence, or acumen

Etymology: ME smerte < base of v.

adjective

  1. causing sharp or stinging pain a smart slap
  2. sharp or stinging, as pain
  3. brisk; vigorous; lively walking at a smart pace
    1. intelligent, alert, clever, witty, etc.
    2. shrewd or sharp, as in one's dealings
  4. neat; trim; spruce
    1. in keeping with the current fashion; stylish
    2. characteristic of or used by those who follow the current fashions
  5. Informal impertinent, flippant, or saucy
  6. Dialectal quite strong, intense, numerous, etc.; considerable a right smart rain
  7. Comput.
    1. intelligent (sense )
    2. aimed, guided, and controlled precisely, through the use of computer technology smart weapons
    3. programmed in advance with certain features, as navigation information or sensing and self-correcting functions smart cars, smart guns

Etymology: ME smerte < OE smeart < base of v.

adverb

in a smart way

Related Forms:

smart Idioms

smart off

Slang to be impertinent or flippant
Smart definition

Smart (smärt)

Smart, Christopher 1722-71; Eng. poet

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

smart Synonyms

smart

modif.

  1. Intelligent

    clever, bright, quick; see intelligent 1.

  2. Impudent

    bold, brazen, forward; see rude 2.

  3. Vigorous

    brisk, lively, energetic; see active 2.

  4. Shrewd

    sharp, crafty, ingenious; see sly 1.

  5. Fashionable

    stylish, chic, in fashion; see fashionable. See syn. study at intelligent.


smart

v.

sting, be painful, burn; see hurt 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

smart Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • sanction: New Zealand also advocates the use of smart sanctions.

Modifying Another Word

  • pretty: Mind you, when I was your age mine were pretty smart too.

Noun used with modifier

  • street: He definitely adds European street smarts to the side - in niggling spades - however he still looks leg heavy.

Infinitive complement

  • know: MULDER: Smart enough to know you're a murderer.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: At least she probably thinks I wander around looking smart all the time.

Preposition: in

  • appearance: You must have an understanding and enthusiasm for technology, be smart in appearance and performance with the ability to deliver.

Preposition: from

  • defeat: Glasgow, still smarting from a double defeat to their city rivals in the University league, seemed up for this one.
smart usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

smart quotes

What helps it now, that Byron bore, With haughty scorn which mocked the smart, Through Europe to the Aetolian shore The pageant of his bleeding heart? That thousands counted every groan, And Europe made his woe her own?

-Arnold, Matthew

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

-Bible (Old Testament)

My generation of Canadians grew up believing that, if we were very good or very smart, or both, we would someday graduate from Canada.

-Fulford, Robert

smart quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"smart." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/smart>

APA Style

smart. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/smart

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