smile

[ smahyl ]

/ smaɪl /

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See synonyms for: smile / smiled / smiles / smiling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), smiled, smil·ing.

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.

to regard with favor: Luck smiled on us that night.

to have a pleasant or agreeable appearance or aspect, as natural scenes, objects, etc.: The landscape smiled in the sunlight.

verb (used with object), smiled, smil·ing.

to assume or give (a smile, especially of a given kind): She smiled a warm and friendly smile.

to express by a smile: to smile approval.

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.

favor or kindly regard: fortune's smile.

a pleasant or agreeable appearance, look, or aspect.

Verb Phrases

smile at,

to regard with pleasure or amusement, as with a smile.
to regard with mild derision: to smile at someone's affectations.

OPPOSITES FOR smile

1, 7 frown.

See antonyms for smile on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

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Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

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Origin of smile

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English smyllen (verb); cognate with Old High German smīlan, Danish smile

synonym study for smile

1, 7. See laugh.

OTHER WORDS FROM smile

smileless, adjectivesmile·less·ly, adverbsmile·less·ness, nounsmiler, noun

smil·ing·ly, adverbhalf-smiling, adjectivehalf-smil·ing·ly, adverboutsmile, verb (used with object), out·smiled, out·smil·ing.sub·smile, nounun·smil·ing, adjectiveun·smil·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby smile

SMH, smidge, smidgen, smilacaceous, smilax, smile, smile on, Smiles, smiley, smilodon, smir

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use smile in a sentence

Someone who has a great smile, knows what he wants and is driven by his passions.
Meet D.C.’s Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles|Staff reports|February 11, 2021|Washington Blade
The price she’s paid for getting everything she ever wanted is written into her coquette’s smile, and it’s the saddest sight in the world.
Rebecca Hall's Passing Is a Complex, Moving Story About Racial Identity—and a Sundance Standout|Stephanie Zacharek|February 3, 2021|Time
Service people were told to plaster a smile onto their faces.
Why You Don't Feel as Fulfilled From Your Job as You Think You Should|Eliana Dockterman|January 25, 2021|Time
Ally noticed his smile right away and took it as a “good sign.”
Date Lab: Mariah Carey. Alligators. Urology. Is this any way to start a romance?|Damona Hoffman|January 21, 2021|Washington Post

Brace responded to her ire with a friendly smile and wished her a blessed day.
Why good manners are more important than ever during pandemic travel|Christopher Elliott|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.
The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For those living in poor communities in particular, interactions with police rarely come with good news and a smile.
How to Solve the Policing Crisis|Keli Goff|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He was grabbing my hips and he was pouring with perspiration and he had this cheesy smile.
From Playboy Prince to Dirty Old Man?|Tom Sykes|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At this point Marvin gives his Liberty Valance smile, the kind that makes you wish you could disintegrate in front of him.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Nobody terrified audiences with a smile as well as Lee Marvin.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Joe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new-lit hope behind his eyes.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
The moon seemed to smile on him; the aurora appeared to dance with unwonted vigour, as if in glee; the very stars winked at him!
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
One adorable smile she gave him, and before he could advance to hold the door for her, she had opened it and passed out.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
A smile of beatitude spread over his enormous countenance during the process.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
This unreasoning, feminine obstinacy so wrought upon him that he permitted himself a smile and a lapse into irony and banter.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for smile

smile

/ (smaɪl) /

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 blessingthe smile of fortune

an agreeable appearance

verb

(intr) to wear or assume a smile

(intr foll by at)

to look (at) with a kindly or amused expression
to look derisively (at) instead of being annoyed
to bear (troubles, etc) patiently

(intr; foll by on or upon) to show approval; bestow a blessing

(tr) to express by means of a smileshe smiled a welcome

(tr often foll by away) to drive away or change by smilingsmile away one's tears

come up smiling to recover cheerfully from misfortune

Derived forms of smile

smiler, nounsmiling, adjectivesmilingly, adverbsmilingness, noun

Word Origin for smile

C13: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish smila, Danish smile; related to Middle High German smielen

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with smile

smile

In addition to the idiom beginning with smile

smile on

also see:

crack a smile

smile

OPPOSITES FOR smile

Origin of smile

synonym study for smile

OTHER WORDS FROM smile

Words nearby smile

Words related to smile

How to use smile in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smile

Derived forms of smile

Word Origin for smile

Other Idioms and Phrases with smile