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Fleer vs Smirk - What's the difference?

fleer | smirk |

As verbs the difference between fleer and smirk

is that fleer is to make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe while smirk is to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.

As nouns the difference between fleer and smirk

is that fleer is one who flees while smirk is an uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied or scornful.

As an adjective smirk is

(obsolete) smart; spruce; affected; simpering.

fleer

English

Etymology 1

Probably from a Scandinavian source, compare Norwegian bokmål , Jutish Danish flire.

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe.
  • * 1599 ,
    • LEONATO. Tush, tush, man! never fleer and jest at me:
    I speak not like a dotard nor a fool,
    As, under privilege of age, to brag
    What I have done being young, or what would do,
    Were I not old.
  • To grin with an air of civility; to leer.
  • * Latimer
    • Grinning and fleering as though they went to a bear baiting.

    Etymology 2

    From

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • one who flees

    • Anagrams

    *

    smirk

    English

    (wikipedia smirk)

    Alternative forms

    *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied or scornful.
  • A forced or affected smile; a simper.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • The bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered.

    Derived terms

    * smirker * smirkily * smirkingly * smirky

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.

    • Synonyms

    * simper * shit-eating grin (vulgar)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) smart; spruce; affected; simpering
  • * Spenser
    • So smirk , so smooth.