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Smart is the act of having intelligence. (noun)

An example of smart is someone with a high IQ.

Smart describes sharp mental or physical pain. (noun)

An example of smart is how your arm feels after a shot.

Smart describes someone who is intelligent, someone who is well dressed and looking sharp or something that can act on its own accord. (adjective)

An example of smart is a person with a high IQ.
An example of smart is someone who is dressed neatly in fashionable clothes.
An example of smart is a computer that can perform some functions without the aid of people.

See smart in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
to feel mental distress or irritation, as in resentment, remorse, etc.

transitive verb

to cause to smart

noun

a smarting sensation, pain or distress
☆ Slang shrewdness, intelligence, or acumen

adjective

causing sharp or stinging pain: a smart slap
sharp or stinging, as pain
brisk; vigorous; lively: walking at a smart pace
1. intelligent, alert, clever, witty, etc.
2. shrewd or sharp, as in one's dealings
neat; trim; spruce
1. in keeping with the current fashion; stylish
2. characteristic of or used by those who follow the current fashions
Informal impertinent, flippant, or saucy
Dialectal quite strong, intense, numerous, etc.; considerable: a right smart rain
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

adverb

in a smart way

Related Forms:

smartly adverb
smartness noun

Smart, Christopher 1722-71; Eng. poet

See smart in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(smärt)

adjective smart·er, smart·est

a. Characterized by sharp quick thought; bright. See Synonyms at intelligent.
b. Amusingly clever; witty: a smart quip; a lively, smart conversation.
c. Impertinent; insolent: That's enough of your smart talk.
Energetic or quick in movement: a smart pace.
Canny and shrewd in dealings with others: a smart negotiator.
Fashionable; elegant: a smart suit; a smart restaurant; the smart set. See Synonyms at fashionable.
a. Capable of making adjustments that resemble human decisions, especially in response to changing circumstances: smart missiles.
b. Manufactured to regulate the amount of light transmitted in response to varying light conditions or to an electronic sensor or control unit: smart windows.
New England & Southern U.S. Accomplished; talented: He's a right smart ball player.

intransitive verb smart·ed, smart·ing, smarts

a. To cause a sharp, usually superficial, stinging pain: The slap delivered to my face smarted.
b. To be the location of such a pain: The incision on my leg smarts.
c. To feel such a pain.
To suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse: “No creature smarts so little as a fool” (Alexander Pope).
To suffer or pay a heavy penalty.

noun

Sharp mental or physical pain. See Synonyms at pain.
smarts Slang Intelligence; expertise: a reporter with a lot of smarts.

Phrasal Verb: smart off Informal To speak or act impertinently.

Related Forms:

smartˈly adverb

smartˈness noun

Regional Note: Smart is a word that has diverged considerably from its original meaning of “stinging, sharp,” as in a smart blow. The standard meaning of “clever, intelligent,” probably picks up on the original semantic element of vigor or quick movement. Smart has taken on other senses as a regionalism. In New England and in the South smart can mean “accomplished, talented.” The phrase right smart can even be used as a noun meaning “a considerable number or amount”: “We have read right smart of that book” (Catherine C. Hopley).

Learn more about smart

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