smile
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.
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.
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.
smile at,
to regard with pleasure or amusement, as with a smile.
to regard with mild derision: to smile at someone's affectations.
Origin of smile
1synonym study For smile
Opposites for smile
Other words from smile
- smileless, adjective
- smile·less·ly, adverb
- smile·less·ness, noun
- smiler, noun
- smil·ing·ly, adverb
- half-smiling, adjective
- half-smil·ing·ly, adverb
- outsmile, verb (used with object), out·smiled, out·smil·ing.
- sub·smile, noun
- un·smil·ing, adjective
- un·smil·ing·ly, adverb
Words Nearby smile
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.
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 | TimeService 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 | TimeAlly 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 PostBrace 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.
For those living in poor communities in particular, interactions with police rarely come with good news and a smile.
He was grabbing my hips and he was pouring with perspiration and he had this cheesy smile.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTNobody terrified audiences with a smile as well as Lee Marvin.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTJoe 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) OgdenThe 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. BallantyneOne 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 SabatiniA smile of beatitude spread over his enormous countenance during the process.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThis 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
/ (smaɪl) /
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
an agreeable appearance
(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 smile: she smiled a welcome
(tr often foll by away) to drive away or change by smiling: smile away one's tears
come up smiling to recover cheerfully from misfortune
Origin of smile
1Derived forms of smile
- smiler, noun
- smiling, adjective
- smilingly, adverb
- smilingness, noun
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
In addition to the idiom beginning with smile
- smile on
also see:
- crack a smile
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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