smirk

1 of 2

noun

ˈsmərk 

plural smirks

: a smile that shows a smug, condescending, or self-satisfied attitude

A former prosecutor, she deploys an interrogation style that is impatient and knowing, almost amused. The eyebrows go up, a faint smirk plays around the lips: you might as well fess up.

—Dana Goodyear

As Frank Cross, the arrogant and abusive television network programming exec in this uproarious update of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, [Bill] Murray offers viewers everything they like about him—sarcastic smirks, disgusted eye-rolls.

—Doug Brod

And while circulation is certainly declining, nearly 50 million people in the U.S. still buy a daily newspaper. So wipe that smirk off your face, Web triumphalists.

—Jennifer Saba

smirk

2 of 2

verb

smirked; smirking; smirks

1

intransitive : to smile in a smug, condescending, or self-satisfied way

"I seem to have touched a nerve," said Malfoy, smirking.

—J. K. Rowling

Cluny lay back and smirked. Everything was going according to plan.

—Brian Jacques

Some Americans from "old" families likewise smirked behind their napkins at the arriviste's fancy new silver-plate fish set …

—Douglas Brenner

… they're smirking about the very idea of political seriousness.

—Kurt Andersen

"Yeah, sure, Ma," I'd say, smirking and rolling my eyes at my husband.

—Anna Marie Dell'oso

2

transitive : to say or express (something) with a smirk

"No problem," he smirked when I apologized for my wimpiness.

—Michael Behar

Examples of smirk in a Sentence

Verb

She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ben Daniels’s charming smirk has not convinced me, though. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024

The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 1 Aug. 2024

Verb

Sitting in the back of the school bus, Ricci smirked at the camera in one photo, wearing big sunglasses. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

The series treats her like Heather Chandler or Regina George, a smirking bully whose cruelty toward Penelope is practically reflexive but whose intelligence can’t compete with our favorite scribe. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of smirk entry 2

Verb

Middle English, from Old English smearcian to smile; akin to Old English smerian to laugh

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1570, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing smirk

• wipe that smirk off your face

Kids Definition

smirk

verb

ˈsmərk 

: to smile in an insincere or smug manner

smirk noun