- in a neat, trim way:At this boarding school, students must be smartly dressed and properly prepared for each class.
- in an elegant, sophisticated, or fashionable way: The contemporary white cabinets are smartly accented by modern terracotta tile.
- 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.
- shrewdly or sharply, as in business; strategically: Plan smartly, act coolly, and then retaliate when it best suits you.
- in a clever or witty way: The narrator in this song smartly observes that "the only thing that stays the same is everything changes."
- quickly or promptly: When the drill sergeant gives them an order, the recruits obey smartly.
- briskly or vigorously: The detective took the warrant from the officer and walked smartly into the inner office without knocking.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- sharply or keenly, as pain: I refused to limp, though my shin hurt smartly from the blow.
