smartly

[ smahrt-lee ]

adverb

1. in a neat, trim way:

   At this boarding school, students must be smartly dressed and properly prepared for each class.

2. in an elegant, sophisticated, or fashionable way:

   The contemporary white cabinets are smartly accented by modern terracotta tile.

3. in a way that shows quick intelligence or good practical judgment:

   Smartly used, the tools I've highlighted will make you a better and more effective manager.

4. shrewdly or sharply, as in business; strategically:

   Plan smartly, act coolly, and then retaliate when it best suits you.

5. in a clever or witty way:

   The narrator in this song smartly observes that "the only thing that stays the same is everything changes."

6. quickly or promptly:

   When the drill sergeant gives them an order, the recruits obey smartly.

7. briskly or vigorously:

   The detective took the warrant from the officer and walked smartly into the inner office without knocking.

8. in a pert or saucy way:

   Asked if the two of them could stop bickering like children and listen up, she retorted smartly, "I can if he can."

9. in a sharp, precise, or severe way and with a cracking sound, as of striking or slapping:

   Under water, two rocks struck smartly together can be heard over a great distance.

   Mark out the shape of the hole by placing the metal plate in position and tapping it smartly with a hammer.

10. Digital Technology. in a remote, automated, self-regulating, or seemingly intelligent way that makes use of electronic control mechanisms and programming, microprocessors, internet access, etc.:

    When our all-wheel drive system senses excessive slip, it smartly sends power to the wheel with the surest footing.

11. sharply or keenly, as pain:

    I refused to limp, though my shin hurt smartly from the blow.

Other Words From

• su·per·smart·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of smartly¹

First recorded in 1220–30; 2005–10 smartly fordef 10; smart ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

Brighton moved smartly to sign Caicedo for £4.5m in February 2021, where he excelled to such an extent that he became the Premier League’s most expensive player when he moved to Chelsea for £115m at the start of last season.

From BBC

Translated, he did a terrific job managing his October bullpen, pushing all the right buttons and smartly leading them through four bullpen-only games necessitated by starting pitching injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers played it smartly, if weirdly, on a night when the Yankees’ valiant effort could be summed up in two words.

From Los Angeles Times

Regardless, it’s an intense and frightening scene that smartly highlights the pair’s size difference and the physical power advantage he has.

From Los Angeles Times

The epic run chase came after South Africa's bowlers had smartly restricted Australia to 134-5 in a curiously underwhelming innings.

From BBC

Related Words

• stylishly
• vigorously