Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [smahr-mee]
- /ˈsmɑr mi/
- /ˈsmɑː.mi/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [smahr-mee]
- /ˈsmɑr mi/
Definitions of smarmy word
- adjective smarmy excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.: the emcee with the smarmy welcome. 1
- abbreviation SMARMY sycophantic 1
- adjective smarmy If you describe someone as smarmy, you dislike them because they are unpleasantly polite and flattering, usually because they want you to like them or to do something for them. 0
- adjective smarmy obsequiously flattering or unpleasantly suave 0
- adjective smarmy flattering in an oily, insincere manner; unctuous 0
Information block about the term
Origin of smarmy
First appearance:
before 1905 One of the 15% newest English words
1905-10; smarm, variant of dial. smalm to smear, make slick (< ?) + -y1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Smarmy
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
smarmy popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 87% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
smarmy usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for smarmy
adj smarmy
- adulatory — If someone makes an adulatory comment about someone, they praise them and show their admiration of them.
- fulsome — offensive to good taste, especially as being excessive; overdone or gross: fulsome praise that embarrassed her deeply; fulsome décor.
- ingratiating — charming; agreeable; pleasing.
- insinuating — tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive: an insinuating letter.
- insinuative — to suggest or hint slyly: He insinuated that they were lying.
adjective smarmy
- fawning — a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
- insinuatory — Insinuative.
- obsequious — characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.
- oily — smeared or covered with oil; greasy: an oily road surface.
- oleaginous — having the nature or qualities of oil.
Top questions with smarmy
- what does smarmy mean?
- what is the definition of smarmy?
- what does the word smarmy mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with s
- Words starting with sm
- Words starting with sma
- Words starting with smar
- Words starting with smarm
- Words starting with smarmy