smile

[smahyl]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of smile¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of smile¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

• crack a smile

Synonym Study

See laugh.

Example Sentences

Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant are all smiles in wedding attire as they flaunt matching rings signaling the start of a new chapter — or at least that’s what one recently viral AI photo depicts.

From Los Angeles Times

“He takes no prisoners — it’s his world and you just happen to live in it,” Curry says with a smile of his Frank-N-Furter.

From Los Angeles Times

His rugged exterior softened by his piercing blue eyes and an almost shy smile disarmed her.

From Los Angeles Times

Scrappy Marie from Glasgow was edged out by Lulu, with her chipmunk smile, sculpted hair and bobby socks.

From BBC

Judging by the photos his father provides, he dressed smartly, with a sharp haircut and an expectant smile.

From BBC

Related Words

• beam 
• grin 
• laugh 
• smirk