From Middle English smirken, from Old English smearcian (“to smile”), corresponding to smerian + -cian (English -k; compare talk and stalk from, respectively, tell and steal). The former element from Proto-Germanic *smarōną (“to mock, scoff at”), and the latter from Proto-Germanic *-kōną. Compare Middle High German smielen/smieren (“to smile”) ( > obsolete, rare German schmieren). Doublet of smile.
The specific meaning of a mocking or unpleasant, malicious smile or grin develops in Early Modern English, but until the 18th century, it could still be used to describe a generic smile.
Meanings
(obsolete) smart; spruce; affected; simpering
So smirk, so smooth, his pricked Ears. 1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “Februarie. Aegloga Se[c]unda.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Iohn Wolfe for Iohn Harrison the yonger, […], →OCLC:
From Middle English smirken, from Old English smearcian (“to smile”), corresponding to smerian + -cian (English -k; compare talk and stalk from, respectively, tell and steal). The former element from Proto-Germanic *smarōną (“to mock, scoff at”), and the latter from Proto-Germanic *-kōną. Compare Middle High German smielen/smieren (“to smile”) ( > obsolete, rare German schmieren). Doublet of smile.
The specific meaning of a mocking or unpleasant, malicious smile or grin develops in Early Modern English, but until the 18th century, it could still be used to describe a generic smile.
Meanings
An uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied, conceited or scornful.
A forced or affected smile.
We sat at a long table with a huge salmon on a platter in the center, prepared Szechuan style. Dad sat at one end of the table, and regaled all present with his stories. In the middle of one convoluted yarn, he rose and went around to the salmon in the center of the table. Using his fingers, he dug an eyeball out of the fish, popped it in his mouth and swallowed it whole as we looked on, aghast. “A real delicacy,” he said, with a boyish smirk. 2003, Brian Herbert, “Xanadu”, in Dreamer of Dune, New York: Tom Doherty Associates, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 259:
The bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered. 1814 July 7, [Walter Scott], Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC:
sk úškrn (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · cy cilwen (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · uk по́смішка (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · de Geschmunzel (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · bg престорена усмивка (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · nl grijnslach (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · sh кес (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · es sonrisita (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · fr sourire en coin (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · fi virne (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · it sorrisetto (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · es sonrisa complacida / satisfecha (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · ga streill (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · es mueca (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · sh kes (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · fr ricanerie (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · hu somolygás (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · ga leamh-mheangadh (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · it smorfia (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · ga siotgháire (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · ru ухмы́лка (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · cs úšklebek (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · ga straois (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · fi omahyväinen hymy (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · fi virnistys (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · hu bazsalygás (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful) · ar إِهْلَاس (smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful)
From Middle English smirken, from Old English smearcian (“to smile”), corresponding to smerian + -cian (English -k; compare talk and stalk from, respectively, tell and steal). The former element from Proto-Germanic *smarōną (“to mock, scoff at”), and the latter from Proto-Germanic *-kōną. Compare Middle High German smielen/smieren (“to smile”) ( > obsolete, rare German schmieren). Doublet of smile.
The specific meaning of a mocking or unpleasant, malicious smile or grin develops in Early Modern English, but until the 18th century, it could still be used to describe a generic smile.
Meanings
To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.
fi hymyillä omahyväisesti (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · sh ке́сити се (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · es hacer una sonrisita (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · nl meesmuilen (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · cs ušklíbnout se (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · ru ухмыльну́ться (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · it sogghignare (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · io ridetar (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · fr ricaner (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · hu somolyog (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · eo rideti (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · de grinsen (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · uk посміха́тися (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · hu bazsalyog (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · de feixen (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · bg подсмихвам се (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · ru ухмыля́ться (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · es sonreír con suficiencia (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · fi virnistää (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · nv biniiʼ yiyoołdloh (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · uk посміхну́тися (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · nl grijnzen (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous) · sh kesiti se (to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous)