smugness

IPA/ˈsmʌɡnəs/
KK[smˈʌɡnəs]IPA/ˈsmʌɡnəs/

smugness — noun

1. the attitude or behaviour of someone who is very pleased with themselves and the

1.名詞B2
釋義

the attitude or behaviour of someone who is very pleased with themselves and their own success, and usually shows this in a way that other people find irritating

例句

Beatrix's smugness annoyed everyone at the dinner table when she described her promotion.

collocation: [possessive] + smugness + annoy

There was a tone of smugness in Femi's voice as he described his award-winning proposal.

uncountable: 'a tone of smugness'

同義詞
  • self-satisfaction

    slightly more formal than smugness, and can be neutral or positive depending on context

  • complacency

    more about uncritical satisfaction with one's situation; less about irritating others and more about being unaware of problems

  • concelt

    focuses on having an overly high opinion of one's own abilities rather than expressing satisfaction with achievements

反義詞
  • humility

    a modest or humble view of one's own importance or achievements

  • self-doubt

    lack of confidence in oneself and one's abilities

文法句型

smugness + about + noun/gerund

smugness + at + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Frequently appears in phrases like 'a hint/tone/note of smugness' or 'an air of smugness' to describe how someone's attitude is perceived by others. The noun is uncountable and cannot be pluralised.

常見錯誤

❌He showed his smugnesses when he won.
✅He showed his smugness when he won.
💡smugness is uncountable and does not have a plural form.
❌There was a smugness in his smile.
✅There was an air of smugness in his smile.
💡while 'a smugness' is sometimes used informally, 'a hint/tone/air of smugness' sounds more natural in standard English.