student asking question

What does "smug" mean? Could you give me some examples?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To be "smug" means to be self-satisfied, self-approving, or prideful. It can have both negative and positive connotations, but in this video has been used in a negative way - "relaxed" is being shown as being a good thing, and "smug" is seen as the opposite (negative) thing. Ex: He won, so he has a smug expression on his face. Ex: Don't look so smug! I'll beat you next time for sure.

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