Word
smirking
Phoneticssmirk·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsmɝkɪŋ/
UK/smˈɜːkɪŋ/
Definition
v. to smile in a proud way that shows you think you are better or know more than others. You do it when you feel smug or want to tease someone quietly.
v. to smile in a self-satisfied, smug or scornful way that suggests superiority or quiet triumph. Often implies contempt or amusement at another person's expense rather than warm friendliness.
Examples
“He is smirking after winning the game.”
“She keeps smirking during the meeting because she already knows the test results.”
“The lawyer caught the witness smirking at the jury, a brief expression that undermined his claim of remorse.”
Examples
simple
“He is smirking after winning the game.”
contextual
“She keeps smirking during the meeting because she already knows the test results.”
complex
“The lawyer caught the witness smirking at the jury, a brief expression that undermined his claim of remorse.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “smirking” in context.
Verb
01. catch smirking
“The teacher caught him smirking at the back of the class.”
verb + gerund
02. keep smirking
“He kept smirking throughout the interview, which looked unprofessional.”
verb + gerund
03. smirking annoys
“His loud smirking annoys the other players in the team.”
gerund + verb
04. smirking at rival
“He stood there smirking at his rival after scoring the goal.”
verb + prep + noun
05. smirking with delight
“She was smirking with delight after playing a trick on her brother.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. constant smirking
“Her constant smirking during the meeting showed she was not serious.”
adj + gerund
07. faint smirking
“I saw faint smirking on his face when the teacher made a mistake.”
adj + gerund
Noun
08. smirking expression
“His smirking expression showed he thought he knew more than us.”
gerund + noun
09. smirking face
“He looked at me with a smirking face that made me angry.”
gerund + noun
10. smirking look
“She gave him a smirking look when he got the answer wrong.”
gerund + noun
11. caught smirking at the back
“He was caught smirking at the back of the classroom.”
12. could not help smirking
“She could not help smirking at his spelling mistakes.”
Real-World Examples
“Instead of showing remorse or asking for forgiveness, they smirked at us from the defendant's box.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/smirking