C1adverbemotionspsychology
US/ˈsmʌɡ.liː/
UK/ˈsmʌɡ.liː/
in a way that shows you are too pleased with yourself about something you did or know
In context
He smiled smugly when he saw that I had lost.
"I told you so," she said smugly, folding her arms.
The winner smugly held up the cup for the cameras.
Words that go with smugly
verb + adverb
- smile smuglyHe smiled smugly at the result.
- say smugly"I knew it," he said smugly.
- grin smuglyShe grinned smugly at her brother.
- announce smuglyHe announced smugly that he had passed.
adverb + adjective
- smugly satisfiedShe looked smugly satisfied with herself.
- smugly confidentThe team was smugly confident before the match.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He smiled smug.Correct: He smiled smugly.