smarmy

Meaning

1. Falsely earnest, smug, ingratiating, or pious.
2. (dated, rare) Unctuous, greasy, as hair from pomade.

Synonyms

smoothtongued

fulsome

oily

oleaginous

soapy

unctuous

buttery

hypocritical

ikey

slithery

smooth

self-satisfied

simulative

slick

complacent

flattering

slippery

greasy

grimy

histrionic

Translations

obséquieux

blasiert

schmuck

schmierig

selbstgefällig

süffisant

geschniegelt und gebügelt

selbstzufrieden

υποκριτικός

αυτάρεσκος

κόλακας

huileux

راضٍ عَن نَفْسِه

flagorneur

راضٍ

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsmɑː.mi/

Etymology

From smarm + -y. Apparently coined by "B.R.L., of Brighton" with sense "saying treacly things which do not sound genuine" in a competition for neologisms in The Academy (London) published on 14 January 1899.