Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Considerable; a significant amount of: Used to describe something that is notably large in size, amount, or degree. This usage is primarily regional in the Southern and Midland United States.

2. Adverb:

   • To a great degree; very much: Used to intensify an adjective, meaning "very" or "considerably." This usage is also regional in the United States.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • We have a right smart amount of work to finish before the deadline.
  • It's a right smart distance to the next town, so we should leave early.

• Adverb:

  • That new tractor is right smart faster than the old one.
  • She was right smart annoyed by the constant noise.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "right smart" functions as a single, fixed intensifier. It is considered informal and is strongly associated with regional dialects, particularly in rural areas of the American South and Midwest.
• It can sometimes be used humorously or self-consciously outside its native dialect region to evoke a folksy or traditional tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Right (adverb): Used as an intensifier meaning "very" or "completely" (e.g., , ), which is a component of the regional phrase "right smart."
• Smart (adjective): In some regional dialects, "smart" can mean "considerable" or "sizable" on its own (e.g., ), contributing to the meaning of the compound phrase.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Considerable, sizable, substantial, goodly.
• Adverb: Very, extremely, considerably, awfully (informal), mighty (regional).

Related Phrases

• A right smart piece: A regional phrase meaning a considerable distance.
  • Grandma's house is still a right smart piece down this old road.
• Right smart of: A regional construction meaning "a lot of" or "a large number/amount of."
  • There were a right smart of people at the town hall meeting.

Adjective

1. (Southern or Midland) considerable
   • it's a right smart distance

Adverb

1. to a great degree or by a great distance; very much (`right smart' is regional in the United States)
   • way over budget
   • way off base
   • the other side of the hill is right smart steeper than the side we are on