Smart vs. Wise — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 15, 2024
Smart refers to quick intelligence or cleverness, while wise involves deep understanding and good judgment.
Difference Between Smart and Wise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Being smart is about quickly grasping concepts, solving problems efficiently, and often being academically inclined. Smartness is typically associated with a sharp intellect and the ability to understand complex information rapidly. Wisdom, on the other hand, is gained through experiences and reflects a deep understanding of people, things, events, or situations, leading to the ability to make sound judgments.
Smart individuals are often seen as quick learners who excel in theoretical and practical problem-solving. Their intelligence is usually measured by IQ tests and academic achievements. Conversely, wise individuals are recognized for their insightful judgments and decisions, often considering the broader implications and moral aspects of a situation.
While smartness can be developed through education and mental exercises, wisdom is cultivated over time, through diverse experiences and a reflective approach to life's challenges. Wisdom involves not only knowledge but also the application of that knowledge in a thoughtful and beneficial manner.
In social contexts, smart people can impress with their quick wit and intellectual capabilities, solving puzzles or coming up with innovative ideas swiftly. However, wise individuals are often sought for advice and guidance, as they tend to offer solutions that consider long-term effects and ethical dimensions.
Despite their differences, smartness and wisdom can complement each other. A smart individual who also develops wisdom can apply their intelligence in ways that consider broader perspectives and ethical considerations, leading to more holistic and impactful outcomes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Quick intellectual ability, cleverness.
Deep understanding, good judgment from experience.
Key Attributes
Quick learning, problem-solving, IQ.
Insight, long-term perspective, ethical judgment.
Development
Through education, mental exercises.
Cultivated through experiences, reflection.
Social Perception
Impress with quick wit, intellectual capabilities.
Sought for advice, guidance based on depth.
Complementarity
Intelligence application in practical scenarios.
Ethical, thoughtful application of knowledge.
Compare with Definitions
Smart
Characterized by sharp, quick thought or response.
Her smart reply won the debate.
Wise
Characterized by wisdom; judicious or prudent.
Her wise decision averted the crisis.
Smart
Showing mental alertness and briskness.
She was smart in her analysis of the novel.
Wise
Informed or learned; possessing deep understanding.
He was wise in the ways of the world.
Smart
Skilled in social or practical affairs.
He was smart in navigating the complex negotiations.
Wise
Reflecting deep, often philosophical thought.
The wise words of the poet resonated with many.
Smart
Clever or witty, often in a playful manner.
His smart jokes always lightened the mood.
Wise
Demonstrating the ability to discern or judge what is true and right.
The judge was wise in her rulings.
Smart
Quick or acute in intellect or grasp.
The smart student solved the math problem in seconds.
Wise
Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
The wise elder shared his insights.
Smart
(of a person) clean, tidy, and well dressed
You look very smart
Wise
Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious
A wise leader.
Smart
Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence
If he was that smart he would never have been tricked
Wise
Exhibiting common sense; prudent
A wise decision.
Smart
Quick; brisk
He set off at a smart pace
Wise
Shrewd; crafty
Made a wise move selling the house when he did.
Smart
(of part of the body) feel a sharp stinging pain
Her legs were scratched and smarting
Wise
Provided with information; informed. Often used with to
I'm wise to your tricks. We were none the wiser after reading the report.
Smart
Sharp stinging pain
The smart of the recent cuts
Wise
(Slang) Rude and disrespectful; impudent.
Smart
Intelligence; acumen
I don't think I have the smarts for it
Wise
Method or manner of doing; way
In no wise.
In any wise.
Smart
Having or showing intelligence; bright.
Wise
Showing good judgement or the benefit of experience.
Storing extra food for the winter was a wise decision.
They were considered the wise old men of the administration.
"It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish" - Aeschylus
Smart
Canny and shrewd in dealings with others
A smart negotiator.
Wise
Disrespectful.
Don't get wise with me!
Smart
Amusingly clever; witty
A smart quip.
A lively, smart conversation.
Wise
(colloquial) Aware, informed.
Be careful: the boss is wise to your plan to call out sick.
Smart
Impertinent; insolent
That's enough of your smart talk.
Wise
To become wise.
Smart
Energetic or quick in movement
A smart pace.
Wise
Usually with "up", to inform or learn.
Mo wised him up about his situation.
After Mo had a word with him, he wised up.
Smart
Fashionable; elegant
A smart suit.
A smart restaurant.
The smart set.
Wise
(dialectal) To instruct.
Smart
Capable of making adjustments that resemble those resulting from human decisions, chiefly by means of electronic sensors and computer technology
Smart missiles.
Smart machines.
Wise
(dialectal) To advise; induce.
Smart
To cause a sharp, usually superficial, stinging pain
The slap delivered to my face smarted.
Wise
(dialectal) To show the way, guide.
Smart
To be the location of such a pain
The incision on my leg smarts.
Wise
(dialectal) To direct the course of, pilot.
Smart
To feel such a pain.
Wise
(dialectal) To cause to turn.
Smart
To suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse
"No creature smarts so little as a fool" (Alexander Pope).
Wise
(archaic) Way, manner, or method.
Smart
Sharp pain or anguish
The smart of the wound.
Wise
Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned.
They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Smart
Smarts(Slang) Intelligence; expertise
A reporter with a lot of smarts.
Wise
Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and judging soundly concerning what is true or false, proper or improper; choosing the best ends and the best means for accomplishing them; sagacious.
When clouds appear, wise men put their cloaks.
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.
Smart
(intransitive) To hurt or sting.
After being hit with a pitch, the batter exclaimed "Ouch, my arm smarts!"
Wise
Versed in art or science; skillful; dexterous; specifically, skilled in divination.
Fal. There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she's gone.Sim. Pray you, sir, was't not the wise woman of Brentford?
Smart
(transitive) To cause a smart or sting in.
Wise
Hence, prudent; calculating; shrewd; wary; subtle; crafty.
Nor, on the other side,Will I be penuriously wiseAs to make money, that's my slave, my idol.
Lords do not care for me:I am too wise to die yet.
Smart
(intransitive) To feel a pungent pain of mind; to feel sharp pain or grief; be punished severely; to feel the sting of evil.
Wise
Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing or exhibiting wisdom; well adapted to produce good effects; judicious; discreet; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination.
A very grave, state bachelor, my dainty one;He's wise in years, and of a temperate warmth.
You are too wise in years, too full of counsel,For my green experience.
Smart
Exhibiting social ability or cleverness.
Wise
Way of being or acting; manner; mode; fashion.
To love her in my beste wyse.
This song she sings in most commanding wise.
Let not these blessings then, sent from above,Abused be, or spilt in profane wise.
Smart
(informal) Exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books.
Wise
A way of doing or being;
In no wise
In this wise
Smart
Equipped with intelligent behaviour (digital/computer technology).
Smart car
Wise
United States Jewish leader (born in Hungary) (1874-1949)
Smart
Good-looking; well dressed; fine; fashionable.
A smart outfit
You look smart in that business suit.
Wise
United States religious leader (born in Bohemia) who united reform Jewish organizations in the United States (1819-1900)
Smart
Cleverly shrewd and humorous in a way that may be rude and disrespectful.
He became tired of his daughter's sarcasm and smart remarks.
Don't get smart with me!
Wise
Having or prompted by wisdom or discernment;
A wise leader
A wise and perceptive comment
Smart
Sudden and intense.
Wise
Marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters;
Judicious use of one's money
A sensible manager
A wise decision
Smart
Causing sharp pain; stinging.
Wise
Evidencing the possession of inside information
Smart
Sharp; keen; poignant.
A smart pain
Wise
Able to take a broad view of negotiations between states
Smart
Intense in feeling; painful. Used usually with the adverb intensifier right.
He raised his voice, and it hurt her feelings right smart.
That cast on his leg chaffs him right smart.
Wise
Carefully considered;
A considered opinion
Smart
(archaic) Efficient; vigorous; brilliant.
Smart
(archaic) Pretentious; showy; spruce.
A smart gown
Smart
(archaic) Brisk; fresh.
A smart breeze
Smart
A sharp, quick, lively pain; a sting.
Smart
Mental pain or suffering; grief; affliction.
Smart
Smart-money.
Smart
A dandy; one who is smart in dress; one who is brisk, vivacious, or clever.
Smart
To feel a lively, pungent local pain; - said of some part of the body as the seat of irritation; as, my finger smarts; these wounds smart.
Smart
To feel a pungent pain of mind; to feel sharp pain or grief; to suffer; to feel the sting of evil; as, the team is still smarting from its loss of the championship.
No creature smarts so little as a fool.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
Smart
To cause a smart in.
Smart
Quick, pungent, lively pain; a pricking local pain, as the pain from puncture by nettles.
Smart
Severe, pungent pain of mind; pungent grief; as, the smart of affliction.
To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart.
Counsel mitigates the greatest smart.
Smart
A fellow who affects smartness, briskness, and vivacity; a dandy.
Smart
Smart money (see below).
Smart
Causing a smart; pungent; pricking; as, a smart stroke or taste.
How smart lash that speech doth give my conscience.
Smart
Keen; severe; poignant; as, smart pain.
Smart
Vigorous; sharp; severe.
Smart
Accomplishing, or able to accomplish, results quickly; active; sharp; clever.
Smart
Efficient; vigorous; brilliant.
Smart
Marked by acuteness or shrewdness; quick in suggestion or reply; vivacious; witty; as, a smart reply; a smart saying.
Who, for the poor renown of being smartWould leave a sting within a brother's heart?
A sentence or two, . . . which I thought very smart.
Smart
Pretentious; showy; spruce; as, a smart gown.
Smart
Brisk; fresh; as, a smart breeze.
Smart
A kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
Smart
Be the source of pain
Smart
Showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
Smart
Elegant and stylish;
Chic elegance
A smart new dress
A suit of voguish cut
Smart
Characterized by quickness and ease in learning;
Some children are brighter in one subject than another
Smart children talk earlier than the average
Smart
Improperly forward or bold;
Don't be fresh with me
Impertinent of a child to lecture a grownup
An impudent boy given to insulting strangers
Smart
Marked by smartness in dress and manners;
A dapper young man
A jaunty red hat
Common Curiosities
Can wisdom be taught?
Wisdom is generally cultivated through life experiences and reflection, rather than traditional teaching.
Is being smart the same as being intelligent?
Intelligence is a broader term, while smartness refers to the quick and clever application of intelligence.
What defines a wise person?
Wisdom is characterized by deep understanding and good judgment, often from experience.
Can smartness be improved?
Yes, through education and mental exercises.
What does it mean to be smart?
Being smart involves quick intellectual ability and cleverness.
Can someone be wise but not smart?
Yes, wisdom focuses on depth of understanding and judgment, not necessarily quick intellect.
Does education always make one smart?
Education contributes to knowledge and can enhance smartness, but not all educated individuals are necessarily "smart" in every sense.
How do wise decisions differ from smart ones?
Wise decisions consider long-term effects and ethical dimensions, whereas smart decisions are often about efficient problem-solving.
Is wisdom always related to morality?
Wisdom often involves ethical considerations, but it's not solely defined by morality.
Are wise people always older?
While age can contribute to wisdom through experiences, younger individuals can also be wise in certain aspects.
Is wisdom valuable in today's fast-paced world?
Yes, wisdom provides a necessary perspective and depth in decision-making, complementing the rapid pace.
How can one become wiser?
Through diverse experiences, reflection, and learning from both successes and failures.
Do smart people make better decisions?
Smart people can make quick and informed decisions, but not necessarily better ones without wisdom.
Can wisdom be found in books?
Books can provide knowledge and insights contributing to wisdom, but true wisdom also requires personal experience.
How do smartness and wisdom interact in problem-solving?
In problem-solving, smartness can provide quick solutions, while wisdom offers depth and considers broader implications.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
