I. ˈsməg adjective
( smugger ; smuggest )
Etymology: probably modification of Low German smuck neat, trim, from Middle Low German, from smucken to dress, adorn; akin to Middle High German smiegen to press in tightly — more at smock
1. : presenting a smooth, well-groomed appearance : neat , sleek
at one end of the promenade the clean, smug town drifted into desultory fields — Strand Magazine
2. : giving an impression of scrupulous correctness and respectability
you are looking smug , man; the honest innkeeper to the life — W.W.Jacobs
3. : marked by or suggestive of belief in one's own superiority, virtue, and respectability usually accompanied by contented resistance to change, provincial lack of vision, or deprecation of others
a smug glow of self-congratulation radiated from the editorial pages of some of the most respectable newspapers — Max Ascoli
people relax with a sense of smug well-being because a law has been enacted which will take care of everything — D.W.Maurer & V.H.Vogel
Synonyms: see complacent
II. transitive verb
( smugged ; smugged ; smugging ; smugs )
: to make clean or neat : spruce , smarten
III. noun
( -s )
: a smug person : prig
IV. transitive verb
( smugged ; smugged ; smugging ; smugs )
Etymology: probably back-formation from smuggle (I)
: to run away with in a sneaking manner : filch