smart aleck

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He’s a pint-sized smart aleck who cares deeply for Dunk.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026

I’m a kid that grew up in Hollywood, and I went to Baghdad wearing a Metallica shirt and I was a total smart aleck.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025

Reynolds may play the smart aleck, but beneath Adam’s zingers he is compensating for a profound pain, and Louis is critical in activating his son’s tender side.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2022

Q. Stuck in the middle: My father has always been a smart aleck who loves practical jokes and discreetly needling people.

From Slate • Jul. 6, 2021

It wasn’t the observation of a smart aleck but that of a truth-lover or a statistics-lover.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger