# smartass

/ˈsmɑɹˈtæs/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smartass
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a person who tries to look very clever in an annoying way, often with sarcastic jokes. You use this when someone shows off instead of being helpful.

For teachers: a person who displays intelligence in an irritating or smug manner, typically through sarcastic or pedantic remarks. Carries a derogatory tone that criticises the attitude, not the intelligence itself.

## Examples

- He acts like a smartass in every meeting.
- The new trainee answers every question with a smirk, and coworkers already call him a smartass behind his back.
- She played the office smartass to perfection, correcting minor errors with a smile that made even simple feedback feel like a public challenge.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.