Definition of SMART (original) (raw)

: having or showing a high degree of mental ability : intelligent, bright

a smart decision/investment/idea

That wasn't a very smart thing to do.

The pursuit of genius or at least being the smartest person in the room continues to tantalize humans.—Lydia Dishman

informal : rude or impolite in a bold and disrespectful way

: stylish or elegant in dress or appearance

For this fall, the smartest skirts will feature hemlines that are either quite long or quite short …—The New York Times Magazine

a member of the smart set

: appealing to sophisticated tastes : characteristic of or patronized by fashionable society

We dined late at the Oasis, possibly the smartest restaurant in town …—Geri Trotta

of a weapon : able to be altered in course during flight : being a [guided missile](/dictionary/guided missile)

a laser-guided smart bomb

: operating by automation

: using a built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for processing of data, or for achieving greater versatility

By now we're familiar with smart electricity grids, those IT-enhanced networks that generate and distribute power locally …—Robert Visscher

: marked by often sharp, forceful activity or vigorous strength

a smart pull of the starter cord

: causing a sharp stinging

… their softest touch as smart as lizard's stings …—Shakespeare

Examples of smart in a Sentence

Adjective

Poodles are said to be smart dogs. That was a smart investment. He gave her a smart answer. Verb

Her eyes were smarting from the smoke. the injection only smarted for a moment Noun

the toddler was whining over the smart from the cut she had the smarts to start college at age 16, but perhaps not the emotional maturity Adverb

He plays smart and the fans appreciate that. I dress smarter than she does. Play it smart during the contract negotiations and you'll get more vacation time.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thankfully, Amazon has smart and stylish bug-fighting solutions that block out pests without sacrificing curb appeal. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 May 2026 Sealing gaps around windows and doors, adding insulation in accessible areas, installing a smart thermostat, or replacing worn weatherstripping can make a home more comfortable and may help reduce energy use over time. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2026

Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders. —Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026 The centers are also smarting from the expiration of $23 million in general fund dollars that were approved in 2022, according to Janelle Melohn with the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2026

In this retiree state with much smarts and experience but sorely values-twisted by years of lopsided Republican rule under Govs. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 Van Demark and Tiernan are two giants with smarts and lateral quickness, far more capable than Justin Skule and Rouse were last season. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 4 May 2026

That means _smart_-stacking plates that double as lids for bowls, bowls that nest into serving platters, and so on. —Bon Appétit, 30 Nov. 2022 Here’s another _smart_-looking slipper that’s well-priced. —Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 28 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for smart

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English smert causing pain, from Old English smeart; akin to Old English smeortan

Verb

Middle English smerten, from Old English smeortan; akin to Old High German smerzan to pain

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of smart was before the 12th century