# smartly

/ˈsmɑɹtɫi/ (US) · /smˈɑːtli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smartly
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

in a way that shows you are clever, well-educated, or have good taste. You use this to describe someone who acts with intelligence or style.

For teachers: in a manner that demonstrates intelligence, good taste, or a high level of education. Often used to describe the appearance or the manner of a person's actions.

## Examples

- She dressed smartly for the interview.
- The students answered the difficult questions smartly, showing they had studied the material thoroughly.
- He spoke smartly about the economic crisis, balancing technical accuracy with a level of clarity that made the complex data accessible to the general public.

---

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.