right smart

In Appalachian talk, "right smart" means "a considerable amount" or "quite a lot." It can also mean "pretty good" or "fairly skilled," depending on the context.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I haven't heard 'right smart' around here before. Kinda like 'airish.'

Pronunciation

[rahyt SMART]

Meaning & Usage

- A large amount (noun phrase)

Mae:

How many beans y’all pick?

Earl:

A right smart - filled two baskets easy.

- Quite a bit / fairly skilled (adverbial use)

Estel:

That boy’s a right smart on the guitar.

Ruby:

Yep, he can pick near as good as his uncle.

other spellings: considerable, a lot, fair amount, plenty, and good bit

★ When someone says "a right smart," they’re not talking about brains - they mean quantity or degree. Context tells you if it’s about "a lot of stuff" or "pretty good at something." ★

Origin

The phrase comes from older British English, where "smart" could mean quick or vigorous, and "right" meant "very" or "quite." Early settlers carried it across the Atlantic, and in Appalachia it shifted into a measure of "a considerable amount" or "fairly capable."

Notes

"Right smart" is still common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially among older folks. It shows up in conversation about harvests, chores, and talents. Outside the region, it may be mistaken for meaning "very intelligent," but that’s not how it’s used here.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "rahyt smar(t)." The "right" doesn’t mean correct - it means "very" or "quite." Paired with "smart," it turns into a measure word for quantity or degree.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "right smart" mean intelligent?

Not usually. In Appalachia, it means "quite a lot" or "fairly good."

How do you use it in a sentence?

"We got a right smart of rain last night," or "She’s a right smart on the piano."

Do people outside Appalachia say this?

Rarely. It’s mostly a regionalism tied to Southern and mountain talk.

Is it still used today?

Yes - it’s alive and well in rural speech and storytelling, though younger generations may use it less often.