Meaning & use
smartly
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a neat, stylish and well-cared-for way, usually about clothing or appearance.
Grammar: Often placed before a past participle: smartly dressed.
Patterns
- smartly dressed
- smartly turned out
He arrived smartly dressed in a navy suit.
The waiters were smartly turned out in white jackets.
She smartly folded the uniform and placed it on the shelf.
adverbnot comparable
In a clever way that shows good judgment.
Grammar: Modifies a verb or a whole sentence: she smartly avoided the argument.
Patterns
- act smartly
- smartly avoid something
She smartly saved a copy of the file before updating the program.
The company smartly sold its shares before prices fell.
He smartly kept his opinion to himself.
adverbnot comparable
Quickly and with energy, especially in a brisk, crisp movement.
Grammar: Follows verbs of movement: marched smartly.
Patterns
- move smartly
- salute smartly
The soldiers saluted smartly as the officer passed.
He turned smartly and walked out of the room.
Step smartly, or we will miss the train.
Common combinations
- smartly dressed
- The students were smartly dressed for the interview.
- smartly done
- The pass was smartly done and led to a goal.
- act smartly
- If you act smartly, you can avoid the trouble.
- salute smartly
- The cadets saluted smartly.
- smartly timed
- It was a smartly timed announcement.
Synonyms and how they differ
- neatly
- Neatly stresses tidiness, while smartly adds the idea of looking stylish and sharp.
- cleverly
- Cleverly points to intelligence in the way something is done, whereas smartly can also suggest good judgment or timing.
- briskly
- Briskly is limited to speed and energy, but smartly can also mean elegantly or wisely.
- elegantly
- Elegantly suggests grace and refinement, while smartly suggests neat, businesslike style.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
Which sentence uses smartly in the sense of cleverly?
Choose one answer.
Investing before prices rise shows good judgment, so smartly means cleverly here. In the other sentences it describes appearance or brisk movement.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “smartly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.