English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

smug

0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for smug, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Overly pleased with oneself, in a way that others find annoying.

We haven't recorded synonyms for smug yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use smug

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

smug smile smug satisfaction a smug look

Etymology

From an earlier sense of "neat, spruce," borrowed from Low German smuk ("pretty, trim").

Full origin of smug →

Frequently asked questions

What does “smug” mean?

The word “smug” means overly pleased with oneself, in a way that others find annoying. In plain terms, self-satisfied in an irritating way — thinking you're better or smarter than everyone else and showing it.

How do you pronounce “smug”?

“Smug” is pronounced smuhg (/smʌɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “smug” in a sentence?

Here is “smug” used in a sentence: “He gave a smug grin after winning the argument.”

What part of speech is “smug”?

“Smug” is an adjective.

Where does the word “smug” come from?

The word “smug” comes from German. From an earlier sense of "neat, spruce," borrowed from Low German smuk ("pretty, trim").

Is “smug” a common word?

“Smug” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of smug
Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.