How to pronounce smug
Say it like SMUHG. Smug is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smug. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMUHG
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smug pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMUHGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of smug
American and British speakers say smug in essentially the same way: /smʌɡ/ in the US and /smʌɡ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SMUHG.
What does smug mean?
- Irritatingly pleased with oneself; offensively self-complacent, self-satisfied.“Kate looked extremely smug this morning.”
- Showing smugness; showing self-complacency, self-satisfaction.“a smug look on her face”
- to adopt an offensively self-complacent expression.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with smug
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of smug.
Questions about saying smug
How do you pronounce smug?
Say SMUHG. The American pronunciation is /smʌɡ/. In British English it is /smʌɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smug?
Smug is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SMUHG.
Do Americans and Brits say smug the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /smʌɡ/ and the British form is /smʌɡ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.