grin

¹

[grin]

verb (used without object)

grinned, grinning 

1. to smile broadly, especially as an indication of pleasure, amusement, or the like.

   Synonyms: crack a smile, smirk, smile, beam
   Antonyms: glare, frown

2. to draw back the lips so as to show the teeth, as a snarling dog or a person in pain.

3. to show or be exposed through an opening, crevice, etc.

verb (used with object)

grinned, grinning 

1. to express or produce by grinning.

   The little boy grinned his approval of the gift.

noun

1. a broad smile.

2. the act of producing a broad smile.

3. the act of withdrawing the lips and showing the teeth, as in anger or pain.

grin

²

[grin]

noun

1. Chiefly Scot.,  a snare like a running noose.

verb (used with object)

grinned, grinning 

1. Archaic.,  to catch in a nooselike snare.

grin

/ ɡrɪn /

verb

1. to smile with the lips drawn back revealing the teeth or express (something) by such a smile

   to grin a welcome

2. (intr) to draw back the lips revealing the teeth, as in a snarl or grimace

3. informal,  to suffer trouble or hardship without complaint

noun

1. a broad smile

2. a snarl or grimace

Other Word Forms

• grinner noun
• grinningly adverb
• grinning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grin¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English grinnen, grennen, Old English grennian; cognate with Old High German grennan “to mutter”

Origin of grin²

First recorded before 900; Middle English grin(e), grinne, Old English grin, gryn

Word History and Origins

Origin of grin¹

Old English grennian; related to Old High German grennen to snarl, Old Norse grenja to howl; see _grunt

Synonym Study

See laugh.

Example Sentences

Earlier this month, Astal grinned when I asked if he had spoken to the Americans about the future, and told me he would share the details soon.

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“I don’t think anyone can ever achieve that,” Mescal acknowledges, grinning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Either way, people love to point out the resemblance with wide eyes and goofy grins, as if it’s my first time hearing the comparison.

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Simon grinned and grabbed one of the wooden baking paddles, which he proceeded to ride like a hobbyhorse ’round the bakehouse.

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The baroness grinned wickedly and licked her lips.

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Related Words

• smirk