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

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

Drummer Tom Skinner, best known as part of the trio the Smile with Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, has a jazzy style so distinctive you can’t help but notice what he’s playing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Surprise musical guests included Lady Gaga, who sang a Latin-inflected version of her hit "Die with a Smile" -- the only English lyrics in the show -- and Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

You helped me Smile through all the Storms I’ve been through but what do I do now that my Sunday Sunshine is gone.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025

Discouraged by the reception given to Smile, and beset by mental illness, Brian Wilson pulled the plug on this work-in-progress in 1967.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2025

Smile and joke even when you don’t feel like it.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• beam
• grin
• laugh
• smirk