What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Snigger vs Smirk - What's the difference?

snigger | smirk |

As nouns the difference between snigger and smirk

is that snigger is a partly suppressed or broken laugh while smirk is an uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent, self-satisfied or scornful.

As verbs the difference between snigger and smirk

is that snigger is to emit a snigger while smirk is to smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.

As an adjective smirk is

smart; spruce; affected; simpering.

snigger

English

Alternative forms

* snicker

Noun

(en noun)
  • A partly suppressed or broken laugh.
  • * 1908 , , page 255,
    • Here the unfeeling Toad broke into a snigger , and then pulled himself together and tried to look particularly solemn.
  • A sly or snide laugh.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To emit a snigger.
  • * 1908 , , page 22,
    • presently the Mole's spirits revived again, and he was even able to give some straight back-talk to a couple of moorhens who were sniggering to each other about his bedraggled appearance.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=
    • , title=The Cuckoo in the Nest , chapter=1 citation , passage=Peter, after the manner of man at the breakfast table, had allowed half his kedgeree to get cold and was sniggering over a letter. Sophia looked at him sharply. The only letter she had received was from her mother. Sophia's mother was not a humourist.}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    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.