smart alec
Mouthy know-it-all
A smart alec is someone who makes clever remarks in an annoying or disrespectful way, often to show off their wit at others' expense: Don't be a smart alec—just answer the question.
The term implies the person thinks they're cleverer than they are.
Also spelled smart aleck.
The adjective smart-alecky describes this behavior.
- smartassAnnoyingly glib person
- wise guySarcastic, flippant person
- wiseacreIrritating would-be wit
- know-it-allSelf-proclaimed authority on everything
- know it allSmugly omniscient person
too clever by half · facetious · smartypants · wise-ass · quipster · wise crack · wisenheimer · mocking · clever · sharp tongue · sarcastic · conceited · insolent · condescending · mouthy · big mouth · lippy · back talk
smart alecyes-man
Uncritical agreeable subordinate
teacher's pet · goody-goody · pushover · doormat · sycophant
smart alecsage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
deep thinker · straight shooter · naif · simpleton · dunce
smart alecstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
genuine article · straight arrow · square · boy scout · innocent
smart, smarts, smartest, smarty, smarter, smartly, smarten, Alexander, smartened