smirk
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- smerk (dated)
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English smirken, from Old English smearcian (“to smile”), corresponding to smerian + -cian (English -k), the former element from Proto-Germanic *smarōną (“to mock, scoff at”), and the latter from Proto-Germanic *-kōną. Compare Middle High German smielen/smieren (“to smile”) ( > obsolete, rare German schmieren).
Pronunciation[edit]
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /smɜːk/
Audio (UK) (file)
- (General American) IPA(key): /smɝk/
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)k
Noun[edit]
smirk (plural smirks)
- An uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied, conceited or scornful.
- A forced or affected smile.
- Synonyms: simper, (vulgar) shit-eating grin
- 1814 July 7, [Walter Scott], Waverley; […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, OCLC 270129598:
- The bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered.
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful
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Verb[edit]
smirk (third-person singular simple present smirks, present participle smirking, simple past and past participle smirked)
- To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.
Synonyms[edit]
Translations[edit]
to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous
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Adjective[edit]
smirk (comparative more smirk, superlative most smirk)
- (obsolete) smart; spruce; affected; simpering
- 1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “Februarie. Aegloga Se[c]unda.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Hugh Singleton, […], OCLC 606515406; republished as The Shepheardes Calender […], London: […] Iohn Wolfe for Iohn Harrison the yonger, […], 1586, OCLC 837880809:
- So smirk, so smooth, his pricked Ears.
Anagrams[edit]
Categories:
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- Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)k
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- en:Facial expressions