whip-smart
Quick and sharp
Whip-smart means extremely intelligent, with connotations of quickness and sharpness—the kind of mind that cuts through problems instantly: a whip-smart attorney, She's whip-smart and doesn't miss a thing.
The image is of a whip cracking—fast, precise, startling.
Cleverly humorous
- sharp-tonguedGiven to cutting remarks
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- snappyQuick and clever
- readySuitable for use now
alert · banter · repartee · quip · comeback · retort · sardonic · droll
Practically clever, perceptive
- perceptiveQuick to understand
- discerningHaving keen judgment
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- insightfulHaving penetrating discernment
sagacious · perspicacious · canny · judicious · analytical · sharp-eyed · observant · penetrating
Showing original thought
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- creativeProducing original ideas
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
- cleverShowing mental quickness
problem-solver · imaginative · original · enterprising · adaptable · strategic · tactical · versatile
Cleverly deceptive
calculating · streetwise · foxy · guileful · shrewd · conniving · devious · slick
Intensely bright or gifted
- eruditeProfoundly knowledgeable
- scholarlyMarked by serious learning
- learnedHaving much knowledge
- cerebralRelating to intellect
knowledgeable · educated · academic · intellectual · well-read · bookish · studious · enlightened
witty
Cleverly humorous
- sharp-tonguedGiven to cutting remarks
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- snappyQuick and clever
ready · alert · banter · repartee · quip · comeback · retort · sardonic · droll · facetious
shrewd
Practically clever, perceptive
- perceptiveQuick to understand
- discerningHaving keen judgment
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
insightful · sagacious · perspicacious · canny · judicious · analytical · sharp-eyed · observant · penetrating · incisive
inventive
Showing original thought
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- creativeProducing original ideas
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
clever · problem-solver · imaginative · original · enterprising · adaptable · strategic · tactical · versatile · practical
crafty
Cleverly deceptive
scheming · calculating · streetwise · foxy · guileful · shrewd · conniving · devious · slick · tricky
brilliant
Intensely bright or gifted
cerebral · knowledgeable · educated · academic · intellectual · well-read · bookish · studious · enlightened · sage