exceedingly smart

USAGE SUMMARY

'exceedingly smart' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize someone's intelligence in a positive way. For example, "My son is an exceedingly smart student - he always gets top marks in his classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Katharine Weber's novel, which stops being droll only to be funny and almost never stops being exceedingly smart, is a hermit crab.

The New York Times - Books

Think of what would happen if an exceedingly smart teen-ager were suddenly told that from now on he's going to have no school, a lot of disposable income, and a job that leaves him free all day.

The New Yorker

"Trump is an exceedingly smart man who has had remarkable success in making hotels and towers and TV shows," a Chinese blogger posted on a Web forum devoted to American politics.

The New Yorker

The celebrated opening sequence of Oscar hopeful There Will Be Blood tells us more about the determination of the film's central character, Daniel Plainview, than the ensuing two hours of Paul Thomas Anderson's exceedingly smart script: There in embryo is the commitment bordering on psychosis that will come to consume Daniel Day-Lewis's oil magnate.

The Guardian

But this production, unusually, makes one impatient for those two interlopers to leave so that one can get back to the double-act that is the occasion of the night as Mr. McKellen and Mr. Stewart navigate the dilapidated playhouse of Stephen Brimson Lewis's exceedingly smart set, lit with a sepulchral, shivery grace by Paul Pyant.

The New York Times - Arts

I mean, there are not many ads on it...and you have all these highly qualified and exceedingly smart young things (Scott, Sean, Dan, Barry et al) who need to be recompensed handsomely for all their efforts in doing these over by overs, the Fiver, and all the other exciting thingees... .. Pah! Recompensed handsomely you say?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

After "Sex and the City" turned the classic urban ingénue comedy into a smart and exceedingly sexual look at the modern woman, "The Sopranos" offered viewers the flip side: an extremely violent, at times darkly funny examination of the power and pitfalls of masculinity.

Los Angeles Times

Now, another generation of smart, bold, and exceedingly talented nurses are blazing new trails into organizations once considered unheard of for nurses.

Nurse Leader

For anyone with back problems (or for those of us who just really don't like physical activity), this exceedingly light suitcase is a smart choice.

Huffington Post

Kelly sees a more prosaic world that looks more like Amazon Web Services: a cheap, smart, utility which is also exceedingly boring simply because it will run in the background of our lives.

The Guardian - Tech

Instead there isn't an extra feature to be found -- another smart move for a small, quiet film that tells its exceedingly powerful story in rich detail but totally without excess.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceedingly smart" to describe someone whose intelligence is not only high but also noticeably impressive. It adds emphasis and can be more impactful than simply saying "smart".

Common error

While "exceedingly smart" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "very smart" or "really smart" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceedingly smart" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a very high level of intelligence or cleverness. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a way to emphasize someone's intelligence in a positive way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

10%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceedingly smart" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase employed to emphasize a notable degree of intelligence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, suggesting it as a way to positively highlight someone's intellect. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and is suitable for neutral to formal settings. For more casual conversations, alternatives like "very smart" or "really smart" may be more appropriate. Consider using it to describe someone whose intelligence is not just good, but remarkably impressive. While useful, remember that the overuse in informal situations can affect the naturalness of the speech. In conclusion it's safe to say this phrase, when used correctly, is useful to make a sentence have more impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally intelligent

Replaces "smart" with "intelligent" and "exceedingly" with "exceptionally", offering a slightly more formal tone.

supremely intelligent

Replaces "smart" with "intelligent" and "exceedingly" with "supremely", intensifying the degree of intelligence.

remarkably astute

Substitutes "smart" with "astute" and "exceedingly" with "remarkably", suggesting keen discernment.

highly perceptive

Replaces "smart" with "perceptive" and "exceedingly" with "highly", focusing on the ability to understand things quickly and accurately.

extraordinarily clever

Replaces "smart" with "clever" and "exceedingly" with "extraordinarily", indicating ingenuity and inventiveness.

profoundly insightful

Substitutes "smart" with "insightful" and "exceedingly" with "profoundly", highlighting deep understanding.

uncommonly brilliant

Replaces "smart" with "brilliant" and "exceedingly" with "uncommonly", highlighting exceptional intellectual ability.

incredibly sharp-witted

Replaces "smart" with "sharp-witted" and "exceedingly" with "incredibly", emphasizing quickness of thought and expression.

particularly sharp

Replaces "exceedingly" with "particularly" and uses "sharp" as a shorter version of "smart", keeping the focus on mental acuity.

noticeably intelligent

Replaces "exceedingly" with "noticeably" focusing on intelligence that is easily observed.

FAQs

How can I use "exceedingly smart" in a sentence?

You can use "exceedingly smart" to describe someone with a high degree of intelligence, such as: "She is an exceedingly smart student who excels in all her classes." or "The company hired an exceedingly smart engineer to lead the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "exceedingly smart"?

Alternatives include "exceptionally intelligent", "remarkably astute", or "highly perceptive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "exceedingly smart"?

While grammatically correct, "exceedingly smart" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such contexts, consider using phrases like "very smart" or "really smart" instead.

What is the difference between "exceedingly smart" and "extremely intelligent"?

Both phrases convey a high level of intelligence. "Exceedingly smart" may suggest a more practical or applied intelligence, while "extremely intelligent" might imply a broader, more theoretical understanding. The difference is subtle and often depends on context.