You've probably heard it, maybe even used it yourself: 'smartest.' It pops up in conversations about technology, problem-solving, even fashion. But does it actually belong in the English language? It’s a question that tickles the linguistic fancy, and one that’s worth exploring.
At its heart, 'smart' is an adjective. It describes something or someone possessing intelligence, quick-wittedness, or a certain stylishness. Think of a 'smart outfit' or a 'smart move.' The reference material we looked at shows 'smart' being used in all sorts of contexts – from describing a 'smart database structure' that retrieves information efficiently, to a 'smart enough' camera that selects the right mode, or even 'smart economics' and 'smart investment' in the realm of policy and development.
Now, when we talk about superlatives – the 'est' endings that denote the highest degree of a quality – we're usually dealing with established forms. For most common adjectives, like 'big,' we get 'bigger' and 'biggest.' For 'happy,' it's 'happier' and 'happiest.' The rule of thumb often involves adding '-er' for the comparative and '-est' for the superlative. However, English, in its wonderfully messy way, doesn't always play by the strictest rules.
For shorter adjectives, especially those ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, we often double the final consonant before adding '-er' or '-est.' So, 'big' becomes 'bigger' and 'biggest.' For adjectives ending in 'y' preceded by a consonant, we change the 'y' to 'i' and add '-er' or '-est,' like 'happy,' 'happier,' 'happiest.'
So, where does 'smart' fit? It's a single-syllable adjective. Following the general pattern, we'd expect 'smarter' and 'smartest.' And indeed, that's precisely what most dictionaries and style guides will tell you. 'Smartest' is the superlative form of 'smart.' It denotes the highest degree of being smart.
Consider the examples from the reference material: a camera that is 'smart enough to select the right one' implies a level of intelligence. If we were to elevate that, we might say it's the 'smartest' camera on the market for its ability to adapt. Similarly, when discussing development cooperation as a 'smart investment,' the idea of it being the most prudent or effective investment would lead us to 'smartest investment.'
Language evolves, and while some might argue for stricter adherence to older grammatical forms, the reality is that 'smartest' is widely understood and used. It’s not an anomaly; it’s a natural extension of the adjective 'smart' into its superlative form. It’s the word we use when we want to express the absolute peak of cleverness, ingenuity, or even trendiness. So, yes, 'smartest' is very much a word, and a useful one at that, helping us pinpoint that ultimate level of brilliance or savvy.
