How do you use "Smartass" in a sentence?

Don't be a smartass. OK smartass, you figure it out. She's such a smartass.

Smartass

Q: What does "Smartass" mean?

An annoyingly clever or sarcastic person; a know-it-all. 'Smartass' describes someone who is irritatingly clever, sarcastic, or shows off their knowledge in an annoying way. Unlike 'dumbass,' it acknowledges intelligence but criticizes the attitude. Also used self-deprecatingly.

Slang Term AmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: An annoyingly clever or sarcastic person; a know-it-all.

令人讨厌的聪明人或讽刺挖苦的人；自以为是的人。

Una persona irritantemente lista o sarcástica; un sabelotodo.

うっとうしいほど賢い人、皮肉屋。知ったかぶり。

짜증나게 잘난 척하는 사람. 빈정대는 사람. 아는 체하는 사람.

'Smartass' describes someone who is irritatingly clever, sarcastic, or shows off their knowledge in an annoying way. Unlike 'dumbass,' it acknowledges intelligence but criticizes the attitude. Also used self-deprecatingly.

'Smartass'形容那些令人恼火地聪明、爱讽刺或以令人讨厌的方式炫耀知识的人。与'dumbass'不同，这个词承认对方的智力，但批评其态度。也可自嘲使用。

'Smartass' describe a alguien irritantemente inteligente, sarcástico o que presume de sus conocimientos de forma molesta. A diferencia de 'dumbass', reconoce la inteligencia pero critica la actitud. También se usa de forma autocrítica.

「Smartass」はイライラするほど賢く、皮肉っぽい、または知識をうっとうしくひけらかす人を表します。「Dumbass」と違い知性は認めますが、その態度を批判しています。自虐的に使うこともあります。

'Smartass'는 짜증날 정도로 똑똑하거나 빈정대거나 아는 체하는 사람을 뜻한다. 'Dumbass'와 달리 지능은 인정하지만 그 태도를 비판한다. 자조적으로 쓰이기도 한다.

Examples

Don't be a smartass.
别自作聪明了
No seas listillo
知ったかぶりするな
잘난 척 좀 하지 마.
OK smartass, you figure it out.
好吧你这么聪明，你来想办法
Vale, listillo, resuélvelo tú
じゃあ頭いいなら自分で考えろ
그래 잘났으면 네가 알아서 해봐.
She's such a smartass.
她真是个自以为是的人
Es una listilla
彼女は本当に生意気だ
그녀는 정말 건방지다.

Pronunciation

/ˈsmɑːrtæs/

Usage Guide

Context: mild insult, teasing

Tone: annoyed, teasing

✓ Do Say

For annoyingly clever people
用于令人讨厌的聪明人
Para gente irritantemente lista
うっとうしいほど賢い人に使う
짜증나게 잘난 척하는 사람에게

✗ Don't Say

British say 'smart-arse' or 'clever clogs'
英国人说'smart-arse'或'clever clogs'
Los británicos dicen 'smart-arse' o 'clever clogs'
イギリスでは「smart-arse」や「clever clogs」と言う
영국에서는 'smart-arse'나 'clever clogs'를 씀

Common Mistakes

Not as harsh as other '-ass' insults

Origin & History

American slang from mid-20th century, combining 'smart' (clever) with 'ass' suffix. Describes someone whose cleverness manifests as irritating cockiness or sarcasm.

Etymology: Smart + ass (suffix)

First recorded: Mid-20th century America

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: American TV

Regional notes: American—British say 'smart-arse' or alternatives.

Variations

SmartassSmart-arse