smirk

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to smile in a smug, condescending, scornful, or self-satisfied way

   He began to smirk when his rival gave the wrong answer.

2. 2
   noun

   a smile that expresses smugness, condescension, scorn, or self-satisfaction

   A faint smirk crossed her face as the plan succeeded.

From Middle English smirken and Old English smearcian, 'to smile,' related to Old English smerian, 'to laugh.' Earlier uses could describe an ordinary smile, but by Early Modern English the word increasingly suggested an affected, mocking, or self-satisfied expression.

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