smartly

smartly — adverb

1. wearing stylish, neat clothes that give a polished, slightly formal appearance —

1.副詞B1
釋義

wearing stylish, neat clothes that give a polished, slightly formal appearance — often used for business, ceremonies, or professional settings.

例句

The hotel staff were all dressed smartly in dark suits and white gloves.

passive: be dressed + smartly in [clothing]

Élise chose a smartly tailored jacket for her first day at the law firm.

collocation: smartly tailored + [garment]

同義詞
  • stylishly

    Focused on fashion trends rather than neatness or formality

  • elegantly

    Suggests grace and timeless sophistication, often more formal than 'smartly'

  • neatly

    About tidiness and order rather than fashion or style

反義詞
  • scruffily

    Suggests untidy or messy dress

  • casually

    Describes informal dress without the polished element

文法句型

smartly + past participle (smartly dressed, smartly tailored)

linking verb + smartly dressed

用法筆記

Frequently pairs with the past participles 'dressed' and 'tailored'. More common in British English than American English; in the US, 'well-dressed' or 'sharp' are often preferred in casual speech.

常見錯誤

❌She looked smartly in a new dress.
✅She looked smart in a new dress.
💡'smartly' is the adverb, so it needs a verb like 'dressed'; with 'look' you use the adjective 'smart'.
❌He was smartly dressed in old jeans and a t-shirt.
✅He was smartly dressed in a blazer and tailored trousers.
💡'smartly dressed' implies neat, slightly formal clothing, not casual wear.

2. with quick, energetic force — describing a sudden movement or action done briskl

2.副詞B2
釋義

with quick, energetic force — describing a sudden movement or action done briskly and with purpose.

例句

The soldier smartly saluted the officer as she walked past.

adverb before verb: smartly + action verb (salute)

Jack smartly turned the steering wheel to avoid the deer on the road.

同義詞
  • briskly

    Emphasizes speed and energy without the element of force

  • sharply

    Suggests a sudden, cutting movement, often more abrupt than 'smartly'

  • vigorously

    Focuses on strength and energy rather than speed or precision

反義詞

文法句型

smartly + action verb (smartly saluted, smartly turned)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 by checking context: this sense describes brisk, forceful movement rather than appearance. Common in sports commentary, military reports, and driving narratives. Not used for mental quickness (that sense of 'smart' is covered by a different meaning of the adjective).

常見錯誤

❌She smartly answered all the test questions.' (intended meaning: intelligently)
✅She quickly and accurately answered all the test questions.
💡'smartly' in the 'sharp action' sense does not mean 'intelligently'; use it for vigorous physical actions only.