Smirk
/smɜːrk/verb
To smile in a self-satisfied or conceited way.
He smirked when he was told he won the competition.
Often appears as...
- smirk at
- smirk to oneself
noun
A self-satisfied or conceited smile.
He had a smirk on his face when he won the competition.
Often appears as...
- wear a smirk
- wipe the smirk off someone's face
verb
To smile in a self-satisfied or conceited way.
He smirked when he was told he won the competition.
Often appears as...
- smirk at
- smirk to oneself
noun
A self-satisfied or conceited smile.
He had a smirk on his face when he won the competition.
Often appears as...
- wear a smirk
- wipe the smirk off someone's face
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
Using 'smirk' often implies disapproval or scorn from the speaker toward the subject.
After receiving the critique, she couldn't help but smirk at his remarks.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Mockery
'Smirk' suggests a subtle form of mockery or feeling of superiority, not an open laugh.
He could only smirk quietly as his rival stumbled over his words.
Pro Tip 3/3Less Formal
The term 'smirk' is less formal and can appear in casual or conversational settings.
The students smirked, knowing they had outsmarted the substitute teacher.
Compare with
chucklegrinsimpersmilesmugsneersnickersniggertwinkle
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Video examples
Rana el Kaliouby: This...
They look somewhat similar, but they mean very different things. So the smile is positive, a smirk is often negative. Sometimes a smirk can make you become famous. But seriously, it's important for a computer to be able
Video examples
How Thor got his hammer...
For Odin, a golden arm ring which would make eight more identical rings on every ninth night. And for Thor, a hammer called Mjolnir. Its handle was too short, and Loki smirked at the obvious defect.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
collectors calling they see their bosses bill out he smirks and he's roses every day and struck him on the back and told it's gonna be alright you know how long can it last
Video examples
Rana el Kaliouby: This...
They look somewhat similar, but they mean very different things. So the smile is positive, a smirk is often negative. Sometimes a smirk can make you become famous. But seriously, it's important for a computer to be able
Video examples
How Thor got his hammer...
For Odin, a golden arm ring which would make eight more identical rings on every ninth night. And for Thor, a hammer called Mjolnir. Its handle was too short, and Loki smirked at the obvious defect.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
collectors calling they see their bosses bill out he smirks and he's roses every day and struck him on the back and told it's gonna be alright you know how long can it last
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Jesmyn Ward
American Novelist
I was a freshman at Stanford University the first time someone called me a 'bama.' One of my new friends from D.C. said it, laughing, and even though I didn't know what it meant, exactly, I got that it was some kind of insult. I must have smirked or shrugged, which made him laugh harder, and then he called me 'country,' too.
Quote examples
Henry Rollins
American Musician
I'm not in a position where I get to pick and choose roles. I usually go on auditions in long lines and embarrass myself in front of casting directors, and with a lump in my throat and my ears burning, I walk past reception and smirking actors as I go to the parking garage and go back on the highway.
Quote examples
Julie Burchill
British Journalist
These women whose antics we smirk at good-naturedly in the pap-traps put themselves out there at least partly on their beauty; they are in showbiz, and showing what they've got is part of their business as much as it is for male show-ponies from the Chippendales to George Clooney.
Quote examples
Clive Barker
English Writer
Interestingly, although the 'Books of Blood' were greeted with cries of righteous horror - and smirks - I didn't think of them as being particularly excessive. God knows what I did think was excessive at the time, but I didn't think they were.
Quote examples
Natalie Dormer
English Actress
I get accused of having a haughty smugness. I have a lopsided mouth. I can't help it. I was born with it. It looks as if I am smirking. I have had my publicist tell me, 'Don't do that smile on the red carpet.' I'm, like, 'That's my smile.
Quote examples
Gal Gadot
Israeli Actress
For me, it was important Wonder Woman wouldn't be a Goody Two-Shoes. She has a little bit of attitude, and when she fights, she has a smirk on her face. I didn't want her to be polished. I want people to relate to her.
Quote examples
George Vecsey
American Author
In North America, many fans know Cristiano Ronaldo's smirk and can recognize Didier Drogba in a commercial. Maybe they know too much for the good of M.L.S.
Quote examples
Charles Dickens
English Novelist
There are only two styles of portrait painting; the serious and the smirk.
Quote examples
Bill Nye
American Educator
When Rush Limbaugh says I'm not a scientist, I'm charmed - I smirk.
Quote examples
Helen Fielding
British Author
It is horrid to smirk.
Quote examples
Jesmyn Ward
American Novelist
I was a freshman at Stanford University the first time someone called me a 'bama.' One of my new friends from D.C. said it, laughing, and even though I didn't know what it meant, exactly, I got that it was some kind of insult. I must have smirked or shrugged, which made him laugh harder, and then he called me 'country,' too.
Quote examples
Henry Rollins
American Musician
I'm not in a position where I get to pick and choose roles. I usually go on auditions in long lines and embarrass myself in front of casting directors, and with a lump in my throat and my ears burning, I walk past reception and smirking actors as I go to the parking garage and go back on the highway.
Quote examples
Julie Burchill
British Journalist
These women whose antics we smirk at good-naturedly in the pap-traps put themselves out there at least partly on their beauty; they are in showbiz, and showing what they've got is part of their business as much as it is for male show-ponies from the Chippendales to George Clooney.
Quote examples
Clive Barker
English Writer
Interestingly, although the 'Books of Blood' were greeted with cries of righteous horror - and smirks - I didn't think of them as being particularly excessive. God knows what I did think was excessive at the time, but I didn't think they were.
Quote examples
Natalie Dormer
English Actress
I get accused of having a haughty smugness. I have a lopsided mouth. I can't help it. I was born with it. It looks as if I am smirking. I have had my publicist tell me, 'Don't do that smile on the red carpet.' I'm, like, 'That's my smile.
Quote examples
Gal Gadot
Israeli Actress
For me, it was important Wonder Woman wouldn't be a Goody Two-Shoes. She has a little bit of attitude, and when she fights, she has a smirk on her face. I didn't want her to be polished. I want people to relate to her.
Quote examples
George Vecsey
American Author
In North America, many fans know Cristiano Ronaldo's smirk and can recognize Didier Drogba in a commercial. Maybe they know too much for the good of M.L.S.
Quote examples
Charles Dickens
English Novelist
There are only two styles of portrait painting; the serious and the smirk.
Quote examples
Bill Nye
American Educator
When Rush Limbaugh says I'm not a scientist, I'm charmed - I smirk.
Quote examples
Helen Fielding
British Author
It is horrid to smirk.
Example 1 of 10
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