I. ˈsmärt adjective
Etymology: Middle English smert causing pain, from Old English smeart ; akin to Old English smeortan
Date: before 12th century
1. : making one smart : causing a sharp stinging
2. : marked by often sharp forceful activity or vigorous strength
a smart pull of the starter cord
3. : brisk , spirited
a smart pace
4.
a. : mentally alert : bright
b. : knowledgeable
c. : shrewd
a smart investment
5.
a. : witty , clever
a smart sitcom
b. : pert , saucy
don't get smart with me
6.
a. : neat , trim
soldiers in smart uniforms
b. : stylish or elegant in dress or appearance
c.
(1) : appealing to sophisticated tastes
(2) : characteristic of or patronized by fashionable society
7.
a. : being a guided missile
a laser-guided smart bomb
b. : operating by automation
a smart machine tool
c. : intelligent 3
• smart·ly adverb
• smart·ness noun
II. intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English smerten, from Old English smeortan; akin to Old High German smerzan to pain
Date: 13th century
1. : to cause or be the cause or seat of a sharp stinging pain ; also : to feel or have such a pain
2.
a. : to feel or endure distress, remorse, or embarrassment
smart ing from wounded vanity — W. L. Shirer
b. : to pay a heavy or stinging penalty
would have to smart for this foolishness
III. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : a smarting pain ; especially : a stinging local pain
2. : poignant grief or remorse
was not the sort to get over smart s — Sir Winston Churchill
3. plural , slang : intelligence , know-how
IV. adverb
Date: 13th century
: in a smart manner : smartly