grin

[grin]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR grin ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), grinned, grin·ning.

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

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

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

verb (used with object), grinned, grin·ning.

to express or produce by grinning: The little boy grinned his approval of the gift.

noun

a broad smile.

the act of producing a broad smile.

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

Origin of grin

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

Related formsgrin·ner, noungrin·ning·ly, adverb

Synonyms for grin

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR grin ON THESAURUS.COM

1. See laugh.

grin

[grin]

noun

Chiefly Scot. a snare like a running noose.

verb (used with object), grinned, grin·ning.

to catch in a nooselike snare.

Origin of grin

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for grinned

smirk, beam, simper, crack

Examples from the Web for grinned

Contemporary Examples of grinned

When asked how he felt about the fact it made the possibility of him becoming king less likely, he grinned and said, "Great!"
Second Royal Baby for Kate
Tom Sykes
September 8, 2014
Ryan grinned, “Thanks for saying ‘we,’ especially coming from Brookings.”
Paul Ryan’s Plan: Rebooting Compassionate Conservatism
Eleanor Clift
July 24, 2014
Both the Duke and Duchess grinned broadly as they took turns at the wheel of the Sealegs, which reached speeds of 40 knots.
Kate Rules The Waves And Thrashes William
Tom Sykes
April 11, 2014
He caught my eye and grinned, full of self-confidence and charm and not the least bit embarrassed.
In Palestinian Theater's New York Performance, the Play After the Play is the Thing
Lisa Goldman
September 28, 2013
Prosecutor Richard Mantei rolled his eyes and grinned sheepishly.
Zimmerman Trial Gets Punked—and ‘Stand Your Ground’ Takes Center Stage
Jacqui Goddard
July 3, 2013

Historical Examples of grinned

Andy turned in the saddle and grinned back at the followers.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
"You're all wrong, chief," said Larry la Roche, and he grinned at Andrew.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
Rosenfeld eyed him suspiciously, but, possessing a sense of humor also, he grinned.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
"It looks like you was up against it, all right," grinned Shorty.
Chip, of the Flying U
B. M. Bower
"You'll have to cut down your victim before I get there," grinned Chip.
Chip, of the Flying U
B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for grinned

grin

verb grins, grinning or grinned

to smile with the lips drawn back revealing the teeth or express (something) by such a smileto grin a welcome

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

grin and bear it informal to suffer trouble or hardship without complaint

noun

a broad smile

a snarl or grimace

Derived Formsgrinner, noungrinning, adjective, noun

Word Origin for grin

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for grinned

grin

Old English grennian "show the teeth" (in pain or anger), common Germanic (cf. Old Norse grenja "to howl," grina "to grin;" Dutch grienen "to whine;" German greinen "to cry"), from PIE root *ghrei- "be open." Sense of "bare the teeth in a broad smile" is late 15c., perhaps via the notion of "forced or unnatural smile." Related: Grinned; grinning.

grin

1630s, from grin (v.).