English Explanatory Dictionary

smirk

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied, conceited or scornful.
  2. A forced or affected smile.
verb
  1. To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.
adj
  1. smart; spruce; affected; simpering

Pronunciation

/smɜːk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-smirk.wav /smɝk/

Word forms

smirk smirks smerk smirke smirking smirked more smirk most smirk

Etymology

From Middle English smirken, from Old English smearcian (“to smile”), corresponding to smerian + -cian (English -k; compare talk and stalk from, respectively, tell and steal). The former element from Proto-Germanic *smarōną (“to mock, scoff at”), and the latter from Proto-Germanic *-kōną. Compare Middle High German smielen/smieren (“to smile”) ( > obsolete, rare German schmieren). Doublet of smile. The specific meaning of a mocking or unpleasant, malicious smile or grin develops in Early Modern English, but until the 18th century, it could still be used to describe a generic smile.

Synonyms

simper shit-eating grin

Derived words

AGP smirk smirker smirkily smirky smile-smirk smirkingly smirkfest unsmirking
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