/smɜːk/, /smɝk/
OriginFrom Middle English smirken, from Old English smearcian (“to smile”), corresponding to smerian + -cian (English -k; compare talk and stalk from, respectively, tell and steal). 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). Doublet of smile.
The specific meaning of a mocking or unpleasant, malicious smile or grin develops in Early Modern English, but until the 18th century, it could still be used to describe a generic smile.
- An uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied, conceited or scornful.
- A forced or affected smile.
“The bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered.”
“We sat at a long table with a huge salmon on a platter in the center, prepared Szechuan style. Dad sat at one end of the table, and regaled all present with his stories. In the middle of one convolute”
- To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.
- obsoletesmart; spruce; affected; simpering
“So smirk, so smooth, his pricked Ears.”
Formssmirks(plural) · smerk(alternative) · smirke(alternative) · smirks(present, singular, third-person) · smirking(participle, present) · smirked(participle, past) · smirked(past) · more smirk(comparative) · most smirk(superlative)