Noun: smart alec
Usage: informal
Usage: informal
- An upstart who makes conceited, sardonic, insolent comments
"The teacher grew tired of the smart alec's constant interruptions";
- smart aleck [informal], wiseacre, wisenheimer [US, informal], weisenheimer [US, informal]
Derived forms: smart alecs
See also: bright spark [informal], clever clogs [Brit, informal], clever Dick [Brit, informal], smart-arse [Brit, Cdn, informal], smart-ass [N. Amer, informal], smartie [informal], smarty [informal], smarty-boots [Brit, informal], smartypants [informal]
Type of: upstart
Encyclopedia: Smart alec