smug

[ smuhg ]

/ smʌg /

adjective, smug·ger, smug·gest.

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

trim; spruce; smooth; sleek.

Words nearby smug

smtp, smudge, smudge pot, smudging, smudgy, smug, smuggery, smuggle, smur, smurfing, smush

Origin of smug

1545–55; perhaps < Middle Dutch smuc neat, pretty, nice

OTHER WORDS FROM smug

smug·ly, adverbsmug·ness, nounun·smug, adjectiveun·smug·ly, adverb

un·smug·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for smugly

So says Thomas Hobbes, whose definition of all laughter illuminates those moments when we smugly parade past the shrunken giants.
GOP Primaries Provide a Feast for Our Schadenfreude Appetite|Eric G. Wilson|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“Anyway, I have more than enough money now for my Robin Hood costume,” he said smugly.
Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle|Mildred A. Wirt
They smugly argue from the known to the unknown on entirely false premises.
Ireland as It Is|Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
I couldn't resist it: "That's what took most of the three days," I said, just a little too smugly.
The Trouble with Telstar|John Berryman

"Used to be a barber in civilian life," the boy said smugly.
Uniform of a Man|Dave Dryfoos
I make no pretences; I frankly do not care for what you so smugly designate as 'the things of the mind' and 'things worth while.'
Athalie|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for smugly

smug

/ (smʌɡ) /

adjective smugger or smuggest

excessively self-satisfied or complacent

archaic trim or neat

Derived forms of smug

smugly, adverbsmugness, noun

Word Origin for smug

C16: of Germanic origin; compare Low German smuck neat

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