adjective
smarmy
SMAH-mee
Smarmy (adjective) means Excessively flattering or ingratiating in an insincere, oily way. Example: “The car salesman had a smarmy charm that made her uneasy.”
adjective
1
Excessively flattering or ingratiating in an insincere, oily way.
"The car salesman had a smarmy charm that made her uneasy."
How to use smarmy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFake-nice in a way that feels slippery and untrustworthy.
Common pairings
smarmy grin
smarmy salesman
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Word forms
- Comparative
- smarmier
- Superlative
- smarmiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car salesman had a _____ charm that made her uneasy.
Etymology
Coined around 1899 from an older dialect word "smarm," which described being falsely sweet or unctuous.
Related words
Rhymes for smarmy
See all rhymes for smarmy →Frequently asked questions
What does “smarmy” mean?
The word “smarmy” means excessively flattering or ingratiating in an insincere, oily way. In plain terms, fake-nice in a way that feels slippery and untrustworthy.
How do you pronounce “smarmy”?
“Smarmy” is pronounced SMAH-mee (/ˈsmɑɹ.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “smarmy” in a sentence?
Here is “smarmy” used in a sentence: “The car salesman had a smarmy charm that made her uneasy.”
What part of speech is “smarmy”?
“Smarmy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “smarmy” come from?
The word “smarmy” dates back to around 1899. Coined around 1899 from an older dialect word "smarm," which described being falsely sweet or unctuous.
