smirk

[ smurk ]
See synonyms for: smirksmirkedsmirking on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of smirk

1
before 900; Middle English smirken (v.), Old English sme(a)rcian

Other words from smirk

  • smirker, noun
  • smirk·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·smirk·ing, adjective
  • un·smirk·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use smirk in a sentence

  • I soon find out when they are trying to cheat me; then they come smirking and smiling with 'Guten Abis.'

    Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland
  • The organ gallery appears to be a pleasant resort for a few hours' gossip and smirking.

  • Tarling put the girl from him and looked at the smirking manager.

    The Daffodil Mystery | Edgar Wallace
  • All the evening we sat, almost in silence, inanely smirking at each other and listening to the rain.

  • Nodding and smirking at Morsfield's approach, she entreated Aminta to step up and in, for the horses were coming out of the yard.

British Dictionary definitions for smirk

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

Origin of smirk

1
Old English smearcian; related to smer derision, Old High German bismer contempt, bismerōn to scorn

Derived forms of smirk

  • smirker, noun
  • smirking, adjective
  • smirkingly, adverb

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