How to pronounce smarmy
Say it like SMAR-mee. Smarmy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smarmy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMAR
- mee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smarmy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of smarmy
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SMAH-mee.
What does smarmy mean?
- Falsely earnest, smug, ingratiating, or pious.
- Unctuous, greasy, as hair from pomade.
Where does smarmy come from?
From smarm + -y. Apparently coined by "B.R.L., of Brighton" with sense "saying treacly things which do not sound genuine" in a competition for neologisms in The Academy (London) published on 14 January 1899.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying smarmy
How do you pronounce smarmy?
Say SMAR-mee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmɑrmi/. In British English it is /ˈsmɑːmi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smarmy?
Smarmy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAR). Broken into parts: SMAR · mee.
Is smarmy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsmɑːmi/ (SMAH-mee).