smarm

[ smahrm ]
/ smɑrm /

noun

behavior or speech that is smarmy.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of smarm

First recorded in 1935–40; back formation from smarmy

Words nearby smarm

smaltite, smalto, smaragd, smaragdine, smaragdite, smarm, smarmy, smart, smart aleck, smart as a whip, smart ass
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for smarm

British Dictionary definitions for smarm

smarm
/ (smɑːm) British informal /

verb

(tr often foll by down) to flatten (the hair, etc) with cream or grease
(when intr, foll by up to) to ingratiate oneself (with)

noun

obsequious flattery

Word Origin for smarm

C19: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012