8 Proven Ways to Look Smarter Than You Really Are

Many people try to impress others by showing off their intelligence. However, it often backfires and makes them look arrogant. Instead, show off your brain power by admitting what you don’t know and asking questions.

Taking these simple steps can help you come off as smarter, according to science-backed studies and experts.

1. Wear Glasses

While a high IQ is certainly beneficial, it’s not the only thing that determines your success in life. The way you dress, speak and interact with others can also affect their perception of your intelligence. This is why looking smarter is so important. The following six simple tricks will help you achieve this goal without sounding pretentious or fake.

For starters, try wearing glasses. Studies have shown that people who wear glasses appear more intelligent than those who don’t. Plus, they make a great accessory to any outfit.

Similarly, avoid too many facial piercings. A 2012 study found that participants who had multiple facial piercings were rated lower on both attractiveness and intelligence.

Another easy trick is to use longer words, especially in conversations. A 2012 Princeton study found that using long, erudite words may actually make you seem less intelligent. Also, avoid swearing or other types of slang. Instead, explain your emotions with more efficient language. Lastly, smile often and look your conversation partner in the eye. These behaviors will increase your perceived intelligence in a short amount of time.

2. Change Your Middle Initials

People are more likely to think you’re intelligent if your name includes a middle initial. This is because middle initials are associated with formal situations in which intellectual capacity and performance matter, such as when you go to the doctor, sign a document or receive an academic certificate (Van Tilburg and Igou 2014; Study 1).

For example, that engineer sitting next to you in the meeting may be quiet throughout most of it, but every now and then they will speak as though their words come from a place of unknowable brilliance. Immediately after they utter their divine statement, chime in with your own equally as intelligent comment, and everyone will look at you and think, “That engineer has a lot of brains.”

But don’t overdo it — there’s a fine line between being smarter than everybody else and just being cocky. Remember, being people smart is just as important as being book smart. And if you can find the right balance of both, your intelligence will bloom to its full potential.

3. Expansive Vocabulary

A broad vocabulary makes it easier to convey a variety of emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It also allows for a more nuanced expression, which can evoke a deeper connection with the audience or reader. People with expansive vocabularies tend to be well-received by their peers in both professional and social settings.

Vocabulary expansion is best accomplished by reading widely. Choose a diverse range of books with various writing styles and topics. A dictionary and thesaurus are helpful tools to have nearby while reading, to help understand unfamiliar words and their meanings. Try to learn a new word each day and incorporate it into your conversations to increase retention.

If you’re a teacher, encourage your students to use dictionaries as a way to expand their lexicon. They may find it tedious at first, but a bit of motivation can help them see how they can utilize these tools to enhance their speech and writing skills. Iris Reading’s speed reading program also offers students a platform to improve their vocabulary and overall reading abilities.

4. Make Eye Contact

Eye contact is a big deal when it comes to looking smart. It signals attentiveness and care, which helps you build trust and develop relationships. However, if you go overboard, it can appear creepy or intimidating. Conversely, avoiding eye contact can make you seem indifferent or rude.

It’s important to practice eye contact before you try it in a social situation. For best results, hold the gaze for about 4-5 seconds, and then slowly glance away. This will allow your brain to relax and avoid the “scoffing” effect.

People who scowl while they speak are perceived as dumber than those who smile. This is probably because the former conveys a sense of anger, while the latter indicates interest and openness.

It’s also important to refrain from using filler words like “um” and “uh.” Instead, use short sentences and get to the point quickly. This will make you sound more confident and intelligent. Plus, it’ll be easier for the listener to follow you. It may take some practice, but the results are worth it.

5. Don’t Share Your Extensive Knowledge

You might think that using erudite words will make people assume you have a high IQ, but it does more harm than good. Research shows that when people use too many complicated words, they are perceived as less intelligent than those who speak clearly. Try recording yourself and eliminating the filler words like “um” and “like.” This will give you a clearer, more concise voice.

Sharing your extensive knowledge can make you seem smarter, but only if it is relevant and useful. Don’t regale your peers with your knowledge of the Federal deficit or the history of the French Revolution. Instead, share things you have learned from your experiences or from reading. Truly smart people don’t feel compelled to prove their intelligence and are happy to admit what they do and do not know.

A great way to look more knowledgeable is to find a topic that interests you and go all in. For example, if you are interested in psychology, learn everything you can about it. Or, if you are curious about philosophy, try watching some YouTube videos with quick explanations of important philosophers.

6. Keep Your Eyelids Open

Doing this might make you appear more alert in the short term, but it’s not a healthy or sustainable way to stay awake. In the long run, physically holding your eyelids open will cause pain and discomfort, not to mention interfere with the natural blinking reflex that keeps your eyes moisturized and prevents dryness.

In some cases, you may find that your eyelids don’t close while you snooze due to a condition called nocturnal lagophthalmos. In this case, you should seek medical attention.

However, for the rest of us, keeping our eyes open can actually improve your concentration if you do it correctly. Sit in a meditative upright posture on the floor or in a chair and focus on a point straight ahead. Try not to strain your eyes or look at the tip of your nose. Then, slowly move your gaze to the right shoulder and then back to the center. Repeat the process on the left side of your face. This technique is called trataka and can help to sharpen your ability to concentrate and stay focused.

7. Don’t Take a Sip of Alcohol

People are often judged based on their appearance, and that includes first impressions. Whether we are aware of it or not, our peers make decisions about us based on the way we look and how we talk.

If you are going to drink alcohol, do it in moderation. People who drink more than two drinks are perceived as less intelligent. This is called the “imbibing idiot bias.”

Wear Black

People who wear black are seen as smarter than those who wear red, according to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. The darker color gives off a feeling of sophistication and power, while red is associated with sexiness.

Speak Expressively

Smart people tend to use more expressive language when expressing their ideas. They also avoid swearing or other types of vulgar language. Try avoiding profanity and substituting words with synonyms when possible.

When it comes to conversation, restating the best ideas from others can make you seem smarter, as long as you cite your sources. This shows that you are listening and are paying attention to the conversation.

8. Don’t Fake It

The “fake it until you make it” strategy works in some situations, but it’s not always the best way to impress. In fact, if you’re trying to impress people who know a lot more than you do, it might not be a good idea to fake it at all. As the “Freakonomics” authors point out, it’s much more effective to play down your own competence and show humility.

If you want to look smarter, expand your vocabulary by removing filler words like “like” and “um” from your speech. Also, try learning about a handful of really obscure topics—people are impressed by specialists. Finally, avoid asserting that recent news events or statistics are reversals of previous trends—this is called end-point bias and intelligent people don’t fall for it.

If you really want to come off as intelligent, remember that your facial expressions are just as important as your words. Research shows that making eye contact and smiling genuinely will increase your perceived intelligence. So next time someone asks you a tough question, be sure to smile—just don’t forget the mascara!