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An impudent or obnoxiously self-assertive individual, a wise guy, as in New teachers often have a hard time coping with the smart alecks in their classes . This expression, dating from the mid-1800s, probably alluded to a person of this description who was named Alec or Alexander, but his identity has been lost.
A smart aleck is someone who's a wisecracking know-it-all. Greet a smart aleck by asking, "What's up?" and they're sure to answer, "The sky." Smart alecks can be funny, but their humor is usually tinged with an obnoxious arrogance. You could also call the smart alecks in your life "wise guys."
smart alec. noun [ C ] informal (US smart aleck, smart-aleck) uk / ˌsmɑːt ˈæl.ɪk / us / ˌsmɑːrt ˈæl.ɪk / Add to word list. someone who tries to appear clever or who answers questions in a clever way that annoys other people. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Showing arrogance and conceit. (as) proud as Lucifer idiom.
The meaning of SMART ALECK is an obnoxiously conceited and self-assertive person with pretensions to smartness or cleverness.
May 24, 2024 · countable noun [oft N n] If you describe someone as a smart aleck, you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. [informal, disapproval] ...a fortyish smart-aleck TV reporter. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers.
Definition of 'smart aleck' Word Frequency. smart aleck. also smart alec. Word forms: plural smart alecks. countable noun [oft N n] If you describe someone as a smart aleck, you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. [informal, disapproval] ...a fortyish smart-aleck TV reporter.
