smart
smart
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "smart" is /smɑːrt/.
smart: /smɑːrt/
/sm/ - consonant cluster
/ɑːr/ - vowel sound
/t/ - consonant sound
Word Form Variations
Adjective: smart, smarter, smartest
Verb: smart (base form), smarts (3rd person singular present), smarting (present participle), smarted (past tense, past participle)
Noun: smart (singular), smarts (plural - informal, refers to intelligence)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Possessing or showing quick-witted intelligence, sharp mental ability, and good judgment; able to learn and understand things quickly.
Synonyms: intelligent, clever, bright, astute, shrewd, discerning, perceptive, sagacious
Antonyms: unintelligent, foolish, dull, stupid, ignorant, dense, slow-witted
Definition 2: Fashionably neat, elegant, and well-dressed; stylish in appearance.
Synonyms: stylish, fashionable, chic, dapper, elegant, sharp, trim, natty
Antonyms: unfashionable, dowdy, frumpy, unkempt, messy, slovenly
Definition 3: (Of a device or system) Programmed to perform sophisticated functions automatically or with minimal human intervention, often through the use of artificial intelligence or connectivity.
Synonyms: intelligent (in a technological sense), automated, sophisticated, advanced, high-tech, digital
Antonyms: basic, manual, unsophisticated, analog, dumb (informal, in this context)
Definition 4: Causing a sharp, stinging, or intense pain.
Synonyms: stinging, sharp, burning, biting, keen, intense, acute
Antonyms: dull, mild, faint, gentle, soothing
Verb
Definition 1: To feel a sharp, stinging pain, either physically or emotionally.
Synonyms: sting, ache, hurt, throb, tingle, burn (when referring to a sensation)
Antonyms: soothe, alleviate, numb, ease, comfort
Definition 2: To feel or show annoyance, resentment, or vexation, especially as a result of a sharp remark or setback.
Synonyms: resent, bridle, chafe, take offense, feel aggrieved, take umbrage
Antonyms: overlook, forgive, disregard, accept, be indifferent
Noun
Definition 1: A sharp, stinging pain.
Synonyms: sting, ache, twinge, throb, pang, prickle
Antonyms: comfort, relief, ease, solace
Definition 2: (Informal, often plural "smarts") Intelligence, quick wit, or good judgment.
Synonyms: intelligence, wit, acumen, shrewdness, astuteness, discernment, brains (informal)
Antonyms: stupidity, foolishness, ignorance, dullness
Examples of Use
Books:
"Hermione was, of course, the smartest witch in her year, always knowing the answers even before Snape finished the question." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, June 1997)
"The detective knew he had to be smart, outthinking the elusive culprit who left no traces." (From a review of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, February 2019)
Newspapers:
"Local tech firms are investing heavily in smart city initiatives, aiming to integrate technology into urban infrastructure." (The New York Times)
"Analysts suggest that the company's smart business strategy allowed them to navigate the volatile market." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Choosing the right smart home devices can significantly enhance your daily life, offering convenience and energy efficiency." (CNet.com)
"The article explored how artificial intelligence is making our devices smarter and more intuitive." (Wired.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Dialogue): "You're a smart cookie, you'll figure this out." (From an episode of The Good Place)
Film (Title/Marketing): "The film was marketed as a 'smart thriller' that keeps you guessing until the very end." (Referring to Knives Out, November 2019)
Music (Lyrics): "She's so smart, she's so fine, she's my everything." (From a popular song, exact lyrics and artist vary but common theme, e.g., "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, November 2014)
Video Games: Many games feature "smart AI" for non-player characters that adapt to the player's strategies. (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077, December 2020)
General Public Discourse:
"My phone's battery is really smart; it tells me exactly how much time I have left before it dies." (Everyday conversation, ongoing)
"That was a smart move to leave early and avoid traffic." (Colloquial use, ongoing)
"My leg still smarts a bit after I bumped it on the table." (Common expression, ongoing)
"He really smarted from the criticism he received." (General discussion of reactions, ongoing)
10 Quotes Using Smart
"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." - Albert Einstein
"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." - Bill Gates
"Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you." - John Wooden
"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them." - John C. Maxwell
"Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it." - Steve Jobs
"Be as smart as you can, but remember that it is always better to be wise than to be smart." - Alan Alda
"Often in the real world, it's not the smart who get ahead, but the bold." - Robert T. Kiyosaki
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." - Michael Jordan (While not directly using "smart", the implied meaning of intelligence and strategic thinking aligns with the concept of smartness in a team context, however, I will aim for a more direct quote if possible.)
"You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy." - Erica Jong
"The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful and being generous. Everything else is crap. I promise you. It's just crap that people try to sell to you to make you feel like less. So don't buy it. Be smart. Be thoughtful and be generous." - Ashton Kutcher
Etymology
The word "smart" has a really interesting history because its original meaning was quite different from how we often use it today.
It comes from the Old English word "smeart," which meant "stinging" or "causing sharp pain." Think of a "smarting" wound – that's the oldest sense still commonly used today, referring to a sharp, unpleasant feeling.
So, the very first known use of "smart" (before the year 1150) was as an adjective to describe something that inflicted a sharp, physical sensation, like a stinging blow. Over time, the word's meaning broadened. It started to be used for things that were "sharp" in a different way, like "cutting" remarks or quick, active movements. This led to the meaning of being mentally sharp or intelligent, which is the most common use we have today for people. Later still, it developed the sense of being stylish or fashionable, and more recently, it's used for technology that acts "intelligently."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Smart
Smart cookie: A very intelligent or clever person.
Smart aleck: Someone who tries to impress others with their cleverness, often in an annoying way.
Smart mouth: Someone who speaks disrespectfully or insolently.
Smart casual: A dress code that is neat and stylish but not overly formal.
Smart money: The investments made by experienced, knowledgeable investors.
Smart move: A clever or advantageous action.
Smart grid: A modernized electrical grid that uses information and communications technology to gather and act on information.
Smart card: A plastic card with a built-in microprocessor, used for various purposes like payments or identification.
Smart up: To improve one's knowledge or understanding.
To smart from something: To feel annoyance, resentment, or a sharp pain due to something.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of smart from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
