Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “smarmy” come from?

smarmy (English) comes from English smarm, from English smalm — to smear, bedaub.

smarmy (English): Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating; unctuous,...

Definitions

  1. Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating; unctuous,...

Ancestry of “smarmy”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsmarmSmarmy language or behavior; A style of fan...
2Englishsmalmto smear, bedaub

Words derived from “smarmy”

  • smarminess
  • smarmily
Every word from English smalm →