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Smirk vs Guffaw - What's the difference?

smirk | guffaw |

As nouns the difference between smirk and guffaw

is that smirk is an uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied or scornful while guffaw is a boisterous laugh.

As verbs the difference between smirk and guffaw

is that smirk is to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous while guffaw is to laugh boisterously.

As an adjective smirk

is (obsolete) smart; spruce; affected; simpering.

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.

    guffaw

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A boisterous laugh
  • *
  • On opening the little door, two hairy monsters flew at my throat, bearing me down, and extinguishing the light; while a mingled guffaw from Heathcliff and Hareton put the copestone on my rage and humiliation.
  • * 1906 , , ch. xx,
  • He walked to the edge and they heard his hoarse guffaw of laughter as the arrows clanged and clattered against his impenetrable mail.
  • * 1936 , , ch. 15,
  • He heaved up with a sulfurous curse, braced his legs and glared about him, with a burst of coarse guffaws in his ears and the reek of unwashed bodies in his nostrils.

    Synonyms

    * (boisterous laugh) belly laugh

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To laugh boisterously.
  • * 1891 , , ch. 15,
  • He guffawed at his adversaries.
  • * 1900 , ,
  • Peter, on the contrary, threw back his head and guffawed thunderously.

    Synonyms

    * See also