How Do You Spell SMARMY?

Pronunciation: [smˈɑːmi] (IPA)

The word "smarmy" is spelled as /ˈsmɑːrmi/. The IPA phonetic transcription explains the pronunciation of this word. The 's' in the beginning is pronounced as an unvoiced sibilant, 'm' is voiced bilabial nasal, and 'a' is pronounced as an open back unrounded vowel. The 'r' is pronounced as an alveolar trill, 'm' is voiced bilabial nasal again, and 'i' is an unrounded tense front vowel. Smarmy is used to describe someone who behaves in an insincerely polite or ingratiating manner to manipulate others for their own advantage.

SMARMY Meaning and Definition

  1. Smarmy is an adjective that is used to describe a person, behavior, or mannerism that is excessively ingratiating, insincerely suave, or overly flattering in a way that is perceived as slimy, insincere, or obsequious. It characterizes someone who goes out of their way to flatter or please others, often with ulterior motives or to advance their own interests.

    A smarmy individual is commonly seen as overly charming or flirty, but in a way that is disingenuous or insincere. They may use excessive compliments or flattery to manipulate or deceive others into thinking favorably of them. However, this charm is seen as artificial, untrustworthy, and cunning.

    Moreover, smarmy behavior can be perceived as self-serving or sycophantic, as individuals who demonstrate smarmy behavior will often try to gain others' trust with overly friendly or ingratiating gestures merely for personal gain.

    Due to its negative connotations, being labeled as smarmy is generally considered derogatory and suggests that the person is being dishonest or manipulative in their intentions. It implies insincerity, excessive flattery, and an underlying motive that may not align with the best interests of others.

    In summary, smarmy is an adjective used to describe someone or their behavior as excessively suave, ingratiating, or flattering in a way that is disingenuous, insincere, or manipulative.

Top Common Misspellings for SMARMY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SMARMY

Etymology of SMARMY

The word "smarmy" is believed to have originated from the Old English word "smeormig", which means "greasy" or "unctuous". The term later evolved into "smarm" in the 17th century, meaning "to smear" or "to flatter". Eventually, "smarmy" emerged in the late 19th century as an adjective form, retaining the meaning of being excessively flattering or insincerely ingratiating. The word is often used to describe someone who is perceived as obsequious, hypocritical, or excessively suave.

Similar spelling words for SMARMY

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