smarmy

Meanings

• Adjective

  Excessively ingratiating, especially in a servile or insincere way.

  - "He was a smarmy used car salesman who talked his way into selling an old clunker to an unsuspecting buyer."
  - "Despite her smarmy behavior, the actress won the hearts of the audience with her genuine performance."

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75858142"
2. /ˈsmɑːɹ.mi/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=283980"

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Synonyms

flattering , gushing , ingratiating , oily , smug

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with smarmy
army , marry

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Variants

List of all variants of smarmy that leads to same result
smarmier , smarmiest , smarmily , smarminess , smarminesses , smarmy

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Derived from the Yiddish word schmear meaning 'to grease' or 'to butter up'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'smarmy' first appeared in print in the 1920s.

2. In some dialects, the word 'smarmy' is used as a verb to describe the act of insincerely flattering someone.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Insincerity: The quality of being insincere, or not genuine in one's expressions or actions.

2. Manipulation: The act of controlling or influencing someone or something, often in a deceptive or underhanded way.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. Perhaps not—but Zarrella's absence is giving prime-time exposure to Channel 9 sports backups Drew Soicher, Carol Maloney and Rod Mackey, any of whom is preferable to the main man, whose on-air presence has grown "smarmier" with each passing year.

   - Michael Roberts,{it}Denver Westword{/it},15 Mar. 2001

2. Yes, he's a "smarmy" know-it-all with the personality of a hall monitor, the kind of guy everyone hides from at a Christmas party.

   - Bill Simmons,{it}ESPN{/it},2 Aug. 2004

3. Norman's attempt at setting the Holly story straight is a well-researched volume in which Holly comes across as a talented, fun-loving guy who carried the torch for a high-school sweetheart with strong religious convictions; who blindly signed over much of his future income to Norman Perry, his "smarmy" producer and manager; and who endured grueling concert tours of the U.S. and Britain.

   - Genevieve Stuttaford,{it}Publishers Weekly{/it},12 Aug.1996

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'smarmy' is often used to describe characters who are insincere or overly manipulative. In music, there are several songs with the title 'Smarmy' that explore themes of manipulation and deceit.

How to Memorize "smarmy"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a used car salesman with a slicked-back hairstyle and a smarmy smile as you say the word 'smarmy' to yourself.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'smarmy' with the image of a greased pole or a buttered piece of bread to help remember its meaning.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by remembering the word 'schmear' in Yiddish, which means 'to grease', and recall that 'smarmy' comes from the same root.

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