Meaning
sneer, smirk
- A malicious, mocking, or sinister grin or smirk.
In a sentence
L'avversario lo guardò con un ghigno beffardo prima di rispondere.
The opponent looked at him with a mocking sneer before replying.
Quel ghigno crudele sul suo volto mi ha subito messo a disagio.
That cruel smirk on his face immediately made me feel uneasy.
Perché rispondi con un ghigno invece di prendere sul serio la situazione?
Why are you answering with a smirk instead of taking the situation seriously?
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| ghigno | masculine · singular |
| ghigni | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Always carries negative connotations (mockery, sarcasm, cruelty), unlike 'sorriso' (smile).
- The corresponding verb is 'ghignare' (to sneer, to chuckle maliciously).