The child, I note, is smart (4)

I believe the answer is:

chic

'is smart' is the definition.
(both can mean stylish)

'the child i note' is the wordplay.
'the child' becomes 'ch' (abbreviation for child).
'note' becomes 'c' (musical note).
'ch'+'i'+'c'='CHIC'

(Other definitions for chic that I've seen before include "Modish" , "Elegantly stylish" , "Stylishness, elegance" , "Well turned out" , "A la mode" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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