Smart guys with useless ways (5)
I believe the answer is:
dudes
'smart guys' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'with useless ways' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'useless' becomes 'dud' (I've seen this before).
'ways' becomes 'es' (east and south - two directions).
'dud' put next to 'es' is 'DUDES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dudes that I've seen before include "American dandies or city dwellers" , "Civilians, to a cowboy" , "American blokes" .)