Meaning & use
swarmy
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving
Behaving in an insincerely charming or flattering way, as if trying too hard to win someone's approval.
Grammar: Used to describe a person's manner or behavior, not a thing; can be used before a noun or after a linking verb like be, seem, or sound.
Patterns
- a swarmy person
- a swarmy smile
- seem swarmy
- act swarmy toward someone
The new salesman came across as swarmy, always complimenting customers in a way that felt fake.
She gave a swarmy smile and promised to help, but I did not trust her at all.
His swarmy behavior at the party made everyone uncomfortable.
adjectivecomparablerare
Covered with or full of a large number of moving insects or people, like a swarm.
Grammar: Describes a place or object that is crowded or infested; often used after a linking verb or before a noun.
Patterns
- a swarmy place
- be swarmy with something
- feel swarmy
The abandoned shed was swarmy with bees in the summer.
After the festival, the streets were swarmy with people heading home.
Word forms
| comparative | swarmier |
|---|---|
| superlative | swarmiest |
Common combinations
- swarmy smile
- He flashed a swarmy smile that did not reach his eyes.
- swarmy behavior
- Her swarmy behavior made it hard to know what she really thought.
- come across as swarmy
- The presenter came across as swarmy rather than sincere.
- swarmy waiter
- The swarmy waiter kept calling us 'my friend' to get a bigger tip.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unctuous
- More formal and literary; describes a smooth, oily insincerity, while swarmy is more everyday and suggests an annoying eagerness to please.
- smarmy
- Very close in meaning and often used in the same way; smarmy is the more standard spelling and may be slightly more disapproving.
- fawning
- Focuses on excessive flattery or obedience; swarmy can also include a fake charm that is not only flattery.
- ingratiating
- More formal; means trying to please in order to gain favor, while swarmy often adds a sense of being insincere or creepy.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: swarmy or smarmy? swarmy or swarthy?
swarmy vs smarmy
Smarmy is the more common and standard spelling for the 'insincerely charming' meaning. Swarmy is a less common variant that may be considered a misspelling by some, but it is used informally.
swarmy vs swarthy
Swarthy means dark-skinned or dark-complexioned, which is completely different from swarmy. They sound somewhat similar but have no overlap in meaning.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'swarmy' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Swarmy describes a person's insincere, flattering manner, so 'a swarmy apology' fits. Option A uses swarmy to describe bees, but the usual word is 'swarming' or 'a swarm of'. Option C confuses swarmy with 'creamy' or 'tasty'. Option D uses an adjective where an adverb is needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “swarmy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.