Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Smarmy speech or behavior.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun smarmy language or behavior
  • verb intransitive To fawn, to be unctuous.
  • verb transitive To address in a fawning and unctuous manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Back-formation from smarmy.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Back-formation from smarmy.

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Examples

  • Many will not find this kind of smarm funny in such a serious matter as the election date.

    Tony Blair: The Next Labour Prime Minister? 2010

  • We'd been together for more than 10 years and I'd had a bellyful of the 'smarm' and yearned for a bit of rough handling by a big clunking fist.

    Oh Ruby, what am I to do? Glyn Davies 2008

  • Microsoft and Asus have teamed up to present a new advertising smarm-storm intended to extol the virtues of Windows on netbooks – and smear Linux.

    p2pnet World Headlines – June 1, 2009 2009

  • I'd turn off the music and announce, using my best Pat Sajak smarm...

    Binky Philips: Last Minute Shoplifting Binky Philips 2011

  • This type of smarm and patronization is how the democrats alienate the middle class and will ultimately lose the next election for them.

    Democrats accuse GOP of inciting mobs 2009

  • The domina offered up one of her virgin slaves to Varrus' smarm-meister friend Cossutius, who roughly deflowered her with the help of a gladiator chosen specifically for his filthiness.

    Spartacus Episode 3: Things That Made Us Go "Ew!" 2011

  • Mrs. Grimble recommenced the client interrogatory, turning on the smarm.

    Shortcut Man P. G. Sturges 2011

  • The quiddity of a terminal is smarm, or perhaps a smarmy hustling: sweating, fat men counting bills with strange intensity under a light besieged by insects.

    1 The Journey To Huila « Unknowing 2010

  • Mrs. Grimble recommenced the client interrogatory, turning on the smarm.

    Shortcut Man P. G. Sturges 2011

  • Flynn, the sarcastic and smug janitor from highly touted show Scrubs, carries on the snark and smarm as Mike who is a quarry manager and likes to live life by his own set of rules.

    Lisa Steinberg: TV For the Family Lisa Steinberg 2012

Comments

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  • This word sounds like something one might slather on toast.

    July 27, 2008

  • Smarmite!

    July 27, 2008

  • HA!

    July 27, 2008