smile

American  

[smahyl] / smaɪl /

verb (used without object)

smiled, smiling

1. 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

2. to regard with favor.

   Luck smiled on us that night.

3. to have a pleasant or agreeable appearance or aspect, as natural scenes, objects, etc..

   The landscape smiled in the sunlight.

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verb (used with object)

smiled, smiling

1. to assume or give (a smile, especially of a given kind).

   She smiled a warm and friendly smile.

2. to express by a smile.

   to smile approval.

3. to bring, put, drive, etc., by or as by smiling.

   to smile one's tears away.

noun

1. the act or an instance of smiling; a smiling expression of the face.

   Antonyms:

   frown

2. favor or kindly regard.

   fortune's smile.

3. a pleasant or agreeable appearance, look, or aspect.

verb phrase

1. smile at

   1. to regard with pleasure or amusement, as with a smile.

   2. to regard with mild derision.

      to smile at someone's affectations.

smile British  

/ smaɪl /

noun

1. a facial expression characterized by an upturning of the corners of the mouth, usually showing amusement, friendliness, etc, but sometimes scorn, etc

2. favour or blessing

   the smile of fortune

3. an agreeable appearance

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verb

1. (intr) to wear or assume a smile

2. 1. to look (at) with a kindly or amused expression

   2. to look derisively (at) instead of being annoyed

   3. to bear (troubles, etc) patiently

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

4. (tr) to express by means of a smile

   she smiled a welcome

5. to drive away or change by smiling

   smile away one's tears

6. to recover cheerfully from misfortune

smile Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing smile

• crack a smile

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Related Words

See laugh.

Other Word Forms

• half-smiling adjective
• half-smilingly adverb
• outsmile verb (used with object)
• smileless adjective
• smilelessly adverb
• smilelessness noun
• smiler noun
• smiling adjective
• smilingly adverb
• smilingness noun
• subsmile noun
• unsmiling adjective
• unsmilingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of smile

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

Example Sentences

Her dad said watching her come out and transition has been gratifying, because “the smile came back, the light in her eyes came back.”

From Los Angeles Times

His innocent smiles and genial facial expressions won over millions of viewers.

From Barron's

"A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with."

From Barron's

“The ultimate response to sleep bullies is to nod and smile,” Tal says.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu smiled through a monster free program, clinching the figure skating gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beam
• grin
• laugh
• smirk