smug

[smuhg]

adjective

smugger, smuggest 

1. contentedly confident of one's ability, superiority, or correctness; complacent.

2. trim; spruce; smooth; sleek.

smug

/ smʌɡ /

adjective

1. excessively self-satisfied or complacent

2. archaic,  trim or neat

Other Word Forms

• smugly adverb
• smugness noun
• unsmug adjective
• unsmugness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of smug¹

First recorded in 1545–55; perhaps from Middle Dutch smuc “neat, pretty, nice”

Word History and Origins

Origin of smug¹

C16: of Germanic origin; compare Low German smuck neat

Example Sentences

Partridge is as likely, according to Coogan, "to mock the xenophobic little England mentality of the Daily Mail" as he is "the smug, self-righteousness of the Guardian, at its worst."

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This platinum-haired schemer and scene-stealer often dressed head to toe in white and is as smart as he is smug.

Read more on Salon

Those with great experience on a subject have little to no ability to do battle with the smug, the young and the inexperienced.

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The entire movie has a disappointing air of smug self-regard about it, with an expectation the audience will adore everything about the characters as much as they do.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fair play to their buying team and no doubt our smug North London neighbours will be letting us know how good they feel.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• complacent 
• egotistical www.thesaurus.com
• pompous 
• self-righteous 
• self-satisfied