aleck
|al-eck|
B2
/ˈælɪk/
smug person
Etymology
Etymology Information
'aleck' originates from the name 'Alexander', where 'Alex' was a common short form.
Historical Evolution
'Alexander' transformed into the colloquial term 'aleck', often used in the phrase 'smart aleck'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the name 'Alexander', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a smug or self-assured person'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who behaves in a way that is annoyingly clever or smug.
He's such an aleck, always trying to show off his knowledge.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/06/17 10:22