smile
Americanverb (used without object)
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to assume a facial expression indicating pleasure, favor, or amusement, but sometimes derision or scorn, characterized by an upturning of the corners of the mouth.
- Antonyms:
- frown
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to regard with favor.
Luck smiled on us that night.
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to have a pleasant or agreeable appearance or aspect, as natural scenes, objects, etc..
The landscape smiled in the sunlight.
verb (used with object)
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to assume or give (a smile, especially of a given kind).
She smiled a warm and friendly smile.
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to express by a smile.
to smile approval.
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to bring, put, drive, etc., by or as by smiling.
to smile one's tears away.
noun
-
the act or an instance of smiling; a smiling expression of the face.
- Antonyms:
- frown
-
favor or kindly regard.
fortune's smile.
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a pleasant or agreeable appearance, look, or aspect.
verb phrase
noun
-
a facial expression characterized by an upturning of the corners of the mouth, usually showing amusement, friendliness, etc, but sometimes scorn, etc
-
favour or blessing
the smile of fortune
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an agreeable appearance
verb
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(intr) to wear or assume a smile
-
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to look (at) with a kindly or amused expression
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to look derisively (at) instead of being annoyed
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to bear (troubles, etc) patiently
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(intr; foll by on or upon) to show approval; bestow a blessing
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(tr) to express by means of a smile
she smiled a welcome
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to drive away or change by smiling
smile away one's tears
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to recover cheerfully from misfortune
Related Words
See laugh.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of smile
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English smyllen (verb); cognate with Old High German smīlan, Danish smile
Explanation
Smile is the thing you do with your face when you are happy -– or want others to think you are. Your expression softens and your mouth turns up at the corners. Smile, noun or verb, with its universal message and association with enjoyment and pleasure, is a very useful word. It can express joy or even say hello. Of course if you “smile through your sorrows,” you are either tying to make yourself feel better or fool other people into thinking you are happy. But in general, a smile is a good sign. And as the song goes “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Like many of Walterboro’s roughly 5,400 inhabitants, she described Hill as a quintessential Southern belle—churchgoing, God-fearing and ready with a smile or an offer of sweet tea.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
With a broad smile, he took in the scene and basked in the adulation of a crowd that viewed him as a hero.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
"He's constantly trying to smile for the camera," he says.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
The 33-year-old wore a big smile after he crossed home and was showered in sunflower seeds.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
You smile, hear her voice say, You can do this, Mariah.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
