smart-ass

noun
UK: /ˈsmɑːt æs/
US: /ˈsmɑːrt æs/

  1. A person who is irritating because they behave as if they know everything.

    1. Don't be such a smart-ass; just listen to the instructions.
    2. The smart-ass remarks he made during the presentation were completely uncalled for.

Synonyms

wiseacre smart aleck know-it-all wise guy
smart-ass adjective

  1. Behaving in an irritatingly clever or cheeky way.

    1. He was being a smart-ass about the rules.
    2. The smart-ass comment earned him a glare from the teacher during the lesson.

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "smart-ass" is /ˈsmɑːt æs/ in British English and /ˈsmɑːrt æs/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "smart-ass": wiseacre, smart aleck, know-it-all, wise guy.

Example usage of "smart-ass": "Don't be such a smart-ass; just listen to the instructions.". More examples on the page.