smirk
English
Alternative forms
- smerk (dated)
Etymology
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Nachtwey_face.jpg)
From Middle English smirken, from Old English smercian, smearcian (“to smile, smirk”), 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
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /smɜːk/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /smɝk/
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)k
Noun
smirk (plural smirks)
- an uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied or scornful
- a forced or affected smile; a simper
- (Can we date this quote by Sir Walter Scott and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- The bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered.
- (Can we date this quote by Sir Walter Scott and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
Derived terms
Translations
smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful
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Verb
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
- simper
- shit-eating grin (vulgar)
Translations
to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous
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Adjective
smirk (comparative more smirk, superlative most smirk)
- (obsolete) smart; spruce; affected; simpering
- (Can we date this quote by Spenser and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- So smirk, so smooth.
- (Can we date this quote by Spenser and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
Anagrams
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Germanic
- English 1-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)k
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- Requests for date/Sir Walter Scott
- English verbs
- English adjectives
- English terms with obsolete senses
- Requests for date/Spenser
- en:Facial expressions