alec
word
/ˈæɫɪk/
A-lik
/ˈælɪk/
A-lik
Definition
'Alec' is a male given name. In the phrase 'smart alec,' it refers to a person who annoyingly pretends to be very clever or knows everything.
Usage & Nuances
Usually, 'alec' alone is only a first name; the negative meaning comes mainly in 'smart alec.' 'Smart alec' is informal and sometimes mildly insulting. Don’t use 'alec' by itself to mean a know-it-all.
Spanish: sabelotodo (persona) - Alec (nombre propio)Portuguese (BR): sabichão (pessoa) - Alec (nome próprio)Portuguese (PT): sabichão (pessoa) - Alec (nome próprio)Chinese (Simplified): 自作聪明的人 - Alec（专有名词）Chinese (Traditional): 自作聰明的人 - Alec（專有名詞）Hindi: अत्यधिक जानने वाला (व्यक्ति) - एलेक (नाम)Arabic: مدعي المعرفة (شخص) - أليك (اسم علم)Bengali: অ্যালেক (পুরুষ নাম) - স্মার্ট অ্যালেক (অহংকারী, সবজান্তা ব্যক্তি)Russian: Алек (мужское имя) - всезнайка (в выражении 'умник', только в составе фразы 'smart alec')Japanese: アレック（男性の名前）- 皮肉屋・知ったかぶり（「スマートアレック」として）Vietnamese: Alec (tên nam) - người tự cho là thông minh ('smart alec')Korean: 앨렉 (남자 이름) - 아는 척하는 사람 ('스마트 앨렉'에서)Turkish: Alec (erkek adı) - ukala ('smart alec' deyiminde)Urdu: ایلیک (مردانہ نام) - خود کو عقل مند ظاہر کرنے والا ('smart alec' کے طور پر)Indonesian: Alec (tên nam) - người tỏ vẻ biết tuốt ('smart alec' trong thành ngữ)
Example Sentences
His name is Alec.
basic
Alec lives next door.
basic
My cousin's name is Alec.
basic
Don't be such a smart alec—just answer the question.
natural
Whenever someone says a joke, Alec always laughs the loudest.
natural
She called him a 'smart alec' because he always corrects the teacher.
natural