smarm

[ smahrm ]

noun

1. behavior or speech that is smarmy.

smarm

/ smɑːm /

verb

1. troften foll bydown to flatten (the hair, etc) with cream or grease
2. whenintr, foll by up to to ingratiate oneself (with)

noun

1. obsequious flattery

Word History and Origins

Origin of smarm¹

First recorded in 1935–40; back formation from smarmy

Word History and Origins

Origin of smarm¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Maybe it’s the exhausting smarm, the squirrelly ambition, the hollow theatrics.

From Washington Post

Jimmy Fallon's uncontainable glee is a welcome respite from late night's usual smarm and snark, but that's Fallon's thing.

From The Daily Beast

For such searing, challenging dreams, we have only snark or smarm.

From The Daily Beast

It is wrong to make sex appear as if it were part of the dear-darling-love smarm: the spiritual love.

From Project Gutenberg