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

“Give up to the sea,” he says, and to all the good things: T-shirts in winter, a stranger’s smile.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

His bank called him recently to check in on him, he said with a smile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

They look at home on the main stage and Slegers could not hide her smile when asked if Arsenal were building more history.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“We’re leaning towards entertainment,” Jacobs says, before a wry smile creeps onto his face.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Kathy asked with a smile and took her moshom’s hand.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• beam
• grin
• laugh
• smirk