smarmy — ingratiating, unctuous, 1924, from SMARM (Cf. smarm) + Y (Cf. y) (2) … Etymology dictionary
smarmy — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ ingratiating and wheedling in an insincere or excessive way. DERIVATIVES smarmily adverb smarminess noun … English terms dictionary
smarmy — [smär′mē] adj. smarmier, smarmiest [< smarm, smalm, to bedaub, smear (< ?) + Y2] [Informal, Chiefly Brit.] flattering in an oily, insincere manner; unctuous smarmily adv. smarminess n … English World dictionary
smarmy — [“smarmi] mod. insincere and obsequious. □ He’s obnoxious but brazen rather than smarmy. □ He’s a smarmy creep. □ The guy is so smarmy, I can’t stand him … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
smarmy — adjective (smarmier; est) Etymology: smarm to gush, slobber Date: 1924 1. revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness < a tone of smarmy self satisfaction New Yorker > 2. of low sleazy taste or quality < smarmy eroticism > • … New Collegiate Dictionary
smarmy — smarm|y [ˈsma:mi US a:r ] adj [Date: 1900 2000; Origin: smarm (to behave with) insincere politeness (19 21 centuries), of unknown origin] polite in an insincere way used to show disapproval ▪ smarmy comments ▪ a smarmy car salesman … Dictionary of contemporary English
smarmy — [[t]smɑ͟ː(r)mi[/t]] smarmier, smarmiest ADJ GRADED (disapproval) 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.… … English dictionary
smarmy — UK [ˈsmɑː(r)mɪ] / US [ˈsmɑrmɪ] adjective Word forms smarmy : adjective smarmy comparative smarmier superlative smarmiest informal extremely pleasant and polite in a way that seems false … English dictionary
smarmy — smarmily, adv. /smahr mee/, adj., smarmier, smarmiest. excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.: the emcee with the smarmy welcome. [1905 10; smarm, var. of dial. smalm to smear, make slick ( < ?) + Y1] * * * … Universalium
smarmy — adjective /ˈsmɑː.mi,ˈsmɑːɹ.mi/ Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating. a smarmy salesman with a big smile Syn: flattering, gushing, ingratiating, oily … Wiktionary
Smarmy — Another word for a smoothy, someone who has a way with the ladies for example. Usually coupled with git as in what a smarmy git . Not meant to be a nice expression, of course … The American's guide to speaking British
