smug Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    self-satisfied.
    • a smug glow of self-congratulation

WordNet

Smug adjective
Etymology
Of. Scand. or Low German origin; cf. LG. smuck, G. schmuck, Dan. smuk, OSw. smuck, smöck, and E. smock, smuggle; cf. G. schmuck ornament. See Smock.
Definitions
  1. Studiously neat or nice, especially in dress; spruce; affectedly precise; smooth and prim.
    They be so smug and smooth. Robynson (More's Utopia).
    The smug and scanty draperies of his style. De Quincey.
    A young, smug, handsome holiness has no fellow. Beau & Fl.
Smug transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Smugged ; present participle & verbal noun Smugging
Definitions
  1. To make smug, or spruce. Obs.
    Thus said, he smugged his beard, and stroked up fair. Dryton.

Webster 1913