smart aleck
smart al·eck
- The definition of smart aleck is someone or something that is annoying because they comes across as having know-it-all tendencies.
An example of a smart aleck answer is a sarcastic reply to a question.
- Smart aleck is a negative term for a person who thinks he is intelligent and who always has an answer for everything.
An example of a smart aleck is the class clown who always shouts out when the teacher is asking questions.
smart aleck
or smart al·ec
Informal a person who is annoyingly conceited, insolent, flippant, etc.
Origin of smart aleck
smart + Aleck, diminutive of Alexandersmart aleck
noun
InformalA person regarded as annoyingly self-assertive, especially for making impudent displays of knowledge.
Origin of smart aleck
Perhaps after Aleck Hoag, 19th-century American confidence man and thiefRelated Forms:
- smart′-al′eck smart′-al′eck·y
adjective
smart-aleck
Noun
(plural smart alecks)
- One who is given to obnoxious or insolent humor; a wise guy.
- One who is pretentious about their own cleverness or knowledge; a know-it-all.
- One who is obnoxiously self-assured; a show off.
- (rare) A well-dressed person.
Origin
Aleck is a nickname for Alexander. The phrase "smart aleck" is possibly derived from the name Aleck Hoag, a 19th century con man and thief.
Adjective
(comparative more smart-aleck, superlative most smart-aleck)
- That is characteristic of a smart aleck
- smart-aleck remarks
