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

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 notes

In plain EnglishFake-nice in a way that feels slippery and untrustworthy.

Common pairings

smarmy grin smarmy salesman

Word forms

smarmier comparative, smarmiest superlative

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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.

· First attested 1899

Class of 1899 smarmy joined the language around 1899.

neutron roque

See the full Class of 1899 →

Rhymes for smarmy

army barmy

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.