smirk
English · Thesaurus
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
smirk
- /smɜːk/ UK
- /smɝk/ US
Rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)k
Where it comes from
From 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.
noun smirks · smerk · smirke
- 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.
Similar: simper, shit-eating grin
verb smirks · smirking · smirked · smerk · smirke
-
To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.
Similar: simper
adjective more smirk · most smirk · smerk · smirke
- smart; spruce; affected; simpering So smirk, so smooth, his pricked Ears.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: simper, grin, smile, sneer, smile-smirk, smirkfest, shit-eating grin, scowl, grimace, snigger, scoff, sneering, smiler, scowling, snark, grimacing
Translations
Every language
noun smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful
| Español | sonrisita, mueca, sonrisa complacida / satisfecha |
|---|---|
| Français | sourire en coin, ricanerie |
| Deutsch | Geschmunzel |
| Italiano | smorfia, sorrisetto |
| Русский | ухмы́лка uxmýlka |
| العربية | إِهْلَاس ʔihlās |
verb to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous
| Español | sonreír con suficiencia, hacer una sonrisita |
|---|---|
| Français | ricaner |
| Deutsch | grinsen, feixen |
| Italiano | sogghignare |
| Русский | ухмыля́ться uxmyljátʹsja, ухмыльну́ться uxmylʹnútʹsja |
Talk about this word "smirk." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/smirk. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. smirk. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/smirk "smirk." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/smirk.Cite this
@misc{smirk_2026,
title = {smirk},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/smirk},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
