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smart

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Smart is the act of having intelligence.

(noun)

An example of smart is someone with a high IQ.

Smart is sharp mental or physical pain.

(noun)

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

The definition of smart is 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.

Origin: 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

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

Origin: ME smerte < base of v.

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

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

adverb

in a smart way

Related Forms:

smartly adverb
smartness noun

Smart, Christopher 1722-71; Eng. poet

See smart in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, stinging, keen, alert

Origin: , from Old English smeart, causing pain

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).

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