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smarmy

 - 4 dictionary results

smarm⋅y

  [smahr-mee]
Use smarmy in a Sentence
–adjective, smarm⋅i⋅er, smarm⋅i⋅est.
excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.: the emcee with the smarmy welcome.
Origin:
1905–10; smarm, var. of dial. smalm to smear, make slick (< ?) + -y 1

Related forms:
smarm⋅i⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To smarmy
smarm·y   (smär'mē)   
adj.   smarm·i·er, smarm·i·est

  1. Hypocritically, complacently, or effusively earnest; unctuous. See Synonyms at unctuous.

  2. Sleek.


[From smarm, to smear.]
smarm·i·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
smarmy [ˈsmɑrmi]

  1. mod.
    insincere and obsequious. : He's obnoxious but brazen rather than smarmy.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

smarmy 
"ingratiating, unctuous," 1924, from smarm "to behave in a flattering way" (1920), variant of colloquial smalm, smawm (1847) "to smear, bedaub" (the hair, with pomade) of unknown origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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