smarmy

[ smahr-mee ]

adjective

, smarm·i·er, smarm·i·est.

1. excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.:

   the emcee with the smarmy welcome.

smarmy

/ ˈsmɑːmɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   obsequiously flattering or unpleasantly suave

Derived Forms

• ˈsmarminess, noun
• ˈsmarmily, adverb

Other Words From

• smarmi·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of smarmy¹

1905–10; smarm, variant of dial. smalm to smear, make slick (< ?) + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Thomas Sadoski should be the frontrunner to play every smarmy privileged thirty-something from now on.

From The Daily Beast

King Smarmy Bill, Queen Smug Chilary, and Princess Spolied Chlesea [sic].

From The Daily Beast

Brad is a smarmy, popular jerk, without whom Adam would have no credibility with the cool kids.

From The Daily Beast

From suave Jack Ryan to smarmy Eugene Kittridge, potential candidates for America's next top spook.

From The Daily Beast

And anyway they just open themselves up to obvious charges of being dishonest and smarmy (at best).

From The Daily Beast

They lipsynch the soundtrack, cadge souvenirs and pester you with smarmy, show-off questions.

From Project Gutenberg

If she thinks him too sweet and smarmy with other people, she should let him have it to his nose, straight out.

From Project Gutenberg

We'd have four good meals every day and baths every morning, and we'd only feel virtuous and 'smarmy' and do-good-to-the-poor-y.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• smug