English vocabulary · C2
Smug
/smʌɡ/ · adj.
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A smug person feels far too good about a small win. They act as if no one else could ever be as good as them.
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Example sentences
- His smug grin grew after one small win.
- She wore a smug smile beside the prize.
Word origin and roots
from Low German
- smuk — neat (from Low German)
Synonyms and nuances
- SELF-SATISFIED — too pleased with yourself (Too pleased with yourself)
- CONCEITED — too proud of yourself (Think too much of yourself)
- SUPERIOR — acting better than others (Act above other people)
Similar words
- self-satisfied
- conceited
- superior
- complacent
- proud
Lesson notes
A smug person feels far too good about a small win. They act as if no one else could ever be as good as them.
Related: self-satisfied, conceited, superior. Use smug when a win feeds pride.
His smug grin grew after one small win. She wore a smug smile beside the prize.
Perhaps from Low German. Smook- means neat. A neat coat cannot hide that smug look of pride.