smart

Everyday

1. Smart means clever and quick to learn and understand. tree →
2. Smart (especially in the UK, Ireland, Australia) means neat, tidy and well-dressed: a smart uniform. tree →
3. Smart describes a machine that uses a computer and the internet: a smartphone, a smart speaker. tree →
4. To smart means to sting or hurt sharply: my eyes smarted from the smoke. tree →

In the lessons

At school: «smart» praise for clever thinking; a «smart» school uniform for photo day. In safety: «be smart online» — keep passwords private and do not talk to strangers. «Smart devices» are taught in computing lessons. In stories, «a smart answer» may also mean a rude, cheeky reply. Phrases: smart idea, look smart, smartphone, smart board, street smart, smart aleck.

Examples

• She is smart and solves puzzles quickly. tree →
• You look very smart in your new blazer. tree →
• That was a smart idea to bring an umbrella. tree →
• Our classroom has a smart board. tree →
• The smoke made my eyes smart. tree →
• Be smart online and never share your address. tree →
• Don't get smart with me, young man! tree →
• Dad asked the smart speaker to play music. tree →
• Wow, but it's a fine feeling to be so smart!" tree →

Note

Adjective: smarter, smartest. American English uses «smart» mostly for clever; British, Irish and Australian English also use it often for neat and well-dressed. «Smart» as a cheeky reply («Don't be smart») is a telling-off. Being smart is not only being clever: hard work and asking questions count too.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means to suffer or be hurt as a result.

Interpretation. Proverbs says that keeping bad company or guaranteeing a stranger's debt brings suffering. Tradition reads these as practical warnings from wise teaching.

Examples

• He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall smart for it. (Writings PRO.13.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; but he that hateth them that strike hands is secure. (Writings PRO.11.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective: smarter, smartest. American English uses «smart» mostly for clever; British, Irish and Australian English also use it often for neat and well-dressed. «Smart» as a cheeky reply («Don't be smart») is a telling-off. Being smart is not only being clever: hard work and asking questions count too.