Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being intelligent and quick-witted: "smartness" refers to the characteristic of being mentally sharp, clever, or able to think and respond quickly.
   • The quality of being stylish, elegant, or fashionable: "smartness" can describe a neat, trim, or sophisticated appearance.
   • The quality of being brisk, lively, or vigorous: "smartness" can refer to a quick, energetic pace or manner.
   • A stinging or sharp sensation, such as pain: In a more literal sense, "smartness" can denote a sharp, often superficial, physical pain.

Examples of Usage

• Referring to intelligence or wit:
  • Her smartness in debates always impressed the judges.
  • The student's smartness was evident in his clever solutions to complex problems.
• Referring to stylish appearance:
  • The smartness of his new suit made him stand out at the party.
  • She admired the smartness of the uniform's design.
• Referring to briskness or liveliness:
  • The smartness of the march kept the soldiers alert.
  • I couldn't keep up with the smartness of their conversation.
• Referring to a stinging sensation:
  • He felt a smartness in his eyes from the smoke. (Note: This usage is less common than the others.)

Advanced Usage

• "With smartness": in a brisk, lively, or efficient manner.
  • The team executed the plan with admirable smartness.
• "A touch of smartness": a slight element of stylishness or wit.
  • The basic outfit was improved with a touch of smartness from a silk scarf.

Variants and Related Words

• Smart (adjective): intelligent, stylish, or causing a stinging pain.
  • a smart answer, a smart dress, a smart wound
• Smartly (adverb): in an intelligent, stylish, or brisk manner.
  • He answered smartly. She was dressed very smartly.

Synonyms

• Cleverness: intelligence and quick thinking.
• Stylishness: elegance and fashionableness.
• Briskness: liveliness and energy.
• Sharpness: keen intelligence or a stinging quality.

Related Phrases

• Smartness of pace: the briskness or speed of movement.
  • The smartness of the pace was too much for the novice hikers.
• Worldly smartness: practical intelligence or shrewdness in dealing with worldly affairs.
  • He relied more on worldly smartness than on formal education.

Related Idioms

• Cut a smart figure: to have a very stylish and impressive appearance.
  • In his new uniform, he cut a very smart figure.
• Smart as a whip: very intelligent and quick-thinking.
  • The new intern is as smart as a whip.

Noun

1. liveliness and eagerness
   • he accepted with alacrity
   • the smartness of the pace soon exhausted him
2. elegance by virtue of being fashionable
3. intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty
4. a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore