English Dictionary |
SMARTLY
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Dictionary entry overview: What does smartly mean?
• SMARTLY (adverb)
The adverb SMARTLY has 3 senses:
2. with vigor; in a vigorous manner
Familiarity information: SMARTLY used as an adverb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
In a clever manner
Synonyms:
cleverly; smartly
Context example:
a smartly managed business
Pertainym:
clever (showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others)
Sense 2
Meaning:
With vigor; in a vigorous manner
Synonyms:
smartly; vigorously
Context example:
he defended his ideas vigorously
Pertainym:
vigorous (characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity)
Sense 3
Meaning:
In a stylish manner
Synonyms:
Context example:
He was smartly dressed
Pertainym:
smart (elegant and stylish)
Context examples
Up went Jo, and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie's little study.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Very smartly dressed, sir—quite the gentleman.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
He swung the club smartly, stopping the rush midway and smashing White Fang down upon the ground.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Thus encouraged, the buccaneer stepped forth more briskly, and having passed something to Silver, from hand to hand, slipped yet more smartly back again to his companions.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
But I noticed, also, whenever one, with a show of fight, tried to break past, that her eyes glinted and showed bright, and she rapped it smartly with her club.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Then he went out again; and then she put her thimble and scissors in her pocket, and stuck a needle threaded with black thread neatly in the bosom of her gown, and put on her outer clothing smartly, at a little glass behind the door, in which I saw the reflection of her pleased face.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Silence! ejaculated a voice; not that of Miss Miller, but one of the upper teachers, a little and dark personage, smartly dressed, but of somewhat morose aspect, who installed herself at the top of one table, while a more buxom lady presided at the other.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Of course they bumped their heads smartly together, saw stars, and both came up flushed and laughing, without the ball, to resume their seats, wishing they had not left them.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
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