smirk

[smurk]

verb (used without object)

1. to smile in an affected, smug, or offensively familiar way.

noun

1. the facial expression of a person who smirks.

smirk

/ smɜːk /

noun

1. a smile expressing scorn, smugness, etc, rather than pleasure

verb

1. (intr) to give such a smile

2. (tr) to express with such a smile

Other Word Forms

• smirker noun
• smirkingly adverb
• unsmirking adjective
• unsmirkingly adverb
• smirking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of smirk¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English smirken (verb), Old English sme(a)rcian

Word History and Origins

Origin of smirk¹

Old English smearcian; related to smer derision, Old High German bismer contempt, bismerōn to scorn

Example Sentences

The woman smirks at Autumn’s comment, almost like she doesn’t need an interpretation for the sign language.

Read more on Literature

‘Madame Ionesco! Where on earth have you been?’ says I. She smirks, as if I’d asked the wrong question!

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“Tedious and uninteresting,” Alexander offered, concealing a smirk.

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The man smirked, stuck out his tongue, and pulled a vacant expression.

Read more on BBC

But Quin smirked, dragged his chair closer and grabbed E in the crotch, the complaint says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grin 
• sneer 

When To Use

What does smirk mean?

A smirk is a kind of smile, but it’s not a friendly smile—it’s often a sarcastic or arrogant one or one that’s intended to provoke or irritate the person who sees it.Smirk is also a verb that means to smile in such a way. People often smirk to show contempt for someone or something—such as by smirking at a person who’s angry at them.Sometimes, though, the word simply refers to a kind of slight smile or a smile that looks like a smirk usually does—a baby might smirk, for example, obviously without meaning anything by it.Example: Wipe that smirk off your face and take this seriously!