smart-alecky
/-kē, -ki/ (ame, mw)
smart-alecky — adjective
1. Someone who is smart-alecky speaks or behaves in a rude, joking way that shows t
Someone who is smart-alecky speaks or behaves in a rude, joking way that shows they believe they are smarter and better than everyone around them — the result is often annoying rather than funny.
Theo's smart-alecky answers got him sent to the principal's office.
smart-alecky + noun (smart-alecky answers)
Mei-Lin's smart-alecky tone during the meeting annoyed her coworkers.
smart-alecky + noun (smart-alecky tone)
When the reporter asked a smart-alecky question, the mayor simply ignored it.
Kwame's family has stopped inviting him to dinner because of his smart-alecky attitude.
Nadia was trying to be helpful, but her smart-alecky comments just upset people.
- cocky
emphasises self-confidence that others find annoying; broader than smart-alecky
- wisecracking
focuses on making clever, rude jokes but not necessarily on feeling superior
- smug
describes visible self-satisfaction rather than verbal behaviour
- humble
the opposite attitude: not thinking oneself better than others
- respectful
opposite manner of speaking: polite rather than rude
文法句型
smart-alecky + noun
be + smart-alecky
用法筆記
Frequently describes a person's tone, remarks, or attitude rather than the person themselves. Unlike 'cocky', which can be neutral or even admiring in some contexts, smart-alecky is always critical.