smug
gb/smˈʌɡ/ us/smˈʌɡ/
B2
English
önelégült, öntelt, takaros
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is smug (about [something])
He gave a smug smile after his prediction came true.
Miután beigazolódott a jóslata, önelégült mosolyt villantott.
She sounded smug about getting the promotion ahead of everyone else.
Önelégülten beszélt arról, hogy mindenki mást megelőzve ő kapta meg az előléptetést.
Their smug certainty disappeared when the plan failed.
Learner examples
He looked smug after he won.
Miután nyert, önelégültnek tűnt.
Don’t be smug about your grades.
Ne legyél önelégült a jegyeid miatt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it as a positive word; it is usually negative (disapproving). Also, it is not the same as "snug" (comfortable/tight).
Meaning
self-satisfied in an annoying way
Collocations
a smug smile
|a smug grin
|a smug look
|a smug expression
|a smug attitude
|smug confidence
|smug satisfaction
|smug superiority
|feel smug
|act smug
Synonyms
self-satisfied (Close in meaning; "smug" is usually more negative and irritating.)
|
complacent (Emphasizes being too comfortable and not worried about problems.)
|
conceited (Focuses more on thinking you are better than others.)
Antonyms
humble (Not proud or self-important about achievements.)
|
modest (Not showing off or acting superior.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|social_relationships
Definition
Too proud and satisfied with yourself in a way other people dislike.
Too pleased with yourself or your achievements, in a way that shows complacency or superiority and annoys other people.
C2
LITERARY
2
takaros
B1
Usage pattern:
a smug [house/room/garden]; a smug-looking [person]
They lived in a smug little house with a perfectly clipped hedge.
Egy takaros kis házban laktak, tökéletesen nyírt sövénnyel.
The village looked smug and well cared for in the summer sun.
A falu takarosnak és gondozottnak tűnt a nyári napsütésben.
Common mistake:
This meaning is uncommon in modern English; most of the time "smug" means "too pleased with yourself."
Meaning
neat, tidy, and well-kept
Collocations
a smug house
|a smug little cottage
|a smug-looking man
|smug respectability
Synonyms
neat (Common modern word for tidy and orderly.)
|
trim (Often used for something kept neat and in good condition.)
|
well-kept (Emphasizes good maintenance over time.)
Antonyms
untidy (Not neat or orderly.)
|
scruffy (Messy-looking, often in an unkempt way.)
Themes
appearance
Definition
Very neat and tidy (uncommon meaning).
Neat, tidy, and well kept in appearance; smart-looking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
smug
IPA
GB/smˈʌɡ/
US/smˈʌɡ/
Syllables & stress
smug (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (smug)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: smug
- Comparative: smugger
- Superlative: smuggest
Expressions
smug as a bug in a rug
1/smˈʌɡ ˈæz ə bˈʌɡ ˈɪn ə ɹˈʌɡ/
idiom
informal
very comfortable and self-satisfied
Very comfortable and very pleased with yourself.
Examples
- After getting away with it, he sat there smug as a bug in a rug.
- She was smug as a bug in a rug once she realized she’d been right all along.
Learner examples
- He was smug as a bug in a rug.
smug in the knowledge that
1/smˈʌɡ ˈɪn ðə nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
self-satisfied because you know something
Feeling pleased because you are sure about something.
Examples
- They walked away smug in the knowledge that no one could prove anything.
- She went into the meeting smug in the knowledge that the boss supported her plan.
Learner examples
- He left smug in the knowledge that he was right.