The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SMARTEST
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
M
A
R
T
E
S
T
More clues leading to the result SMARTEST
- Start to swot a month before exam — that's most clever
- Most clever male beasts about to face ordeal
- Brightest and most fashionable institute‘s key short lecture
- Best-dressed males standing trial
- Horribly mistreats, after I go, the most intelligent people
- Most fashionable of stars met cast
- Least naïve athletes in Los Angeles recalled trial
- Butters up ahead of exam -- most clever
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Best-dressed" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case best-dressed = smartest.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SMARTEST mean?
SMARTEST adjective- Exhibiting social ability or cleverness.
- Exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books.
- (often in combination) Equipped with intelligent behaviour (digital/computer technology).
- Good-looking; well dressed; fine; fashionable.
- Cleverly shrewd and humorous in a way that may be rude and disrespectful.
- Sudden and intense.
- Causing sharp pain; stinging.
- Sharp; keen; poignant.
- (Southern) Intense in feeling; painful. Used usually with the adverb intensifier right.
- Efficient; vigorous; brilliant.
- Pretentious; showy; spruce.
- Brisk; fresh.