smile

[ smahyl ]

/ smaɪl /

verb (used without object), smiled, smil·ing.

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.

verb (used with object), smiled, smil·ing.

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.

noun

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.

Verb Phrases

smile at,

to regard with pleasure or amusement, as with a smile.
to regard with mild derision: to smile at someone's affectations.

Words nearby smile

smidge, smidgen, smiercase, smilacaceous, smilax, smile, smile on, smiles, smiley, smilodon, smir

Origin of smile

1250–1300; Middle English smyllen (v.); cognate with Old High German smīlan, Danish smile

SYNONYMS FOR smile

1, 7 See laugh.

ANTONYMS FOR smile

1, 7 frown.

OTHER WORDS FROM smile

smile·less, adjectivesmile·less·ly, adverbsmile·less·ness, nounsmil·er, noun

smil·ing·ly, adverbhalf-smil·ing, adjectivehalf-smil·ing·ly, adverbout·smile, verb (used with object), out·smiled, out·smil·ing.sub·smile, nounun·smil·ing, adjectiveun·smil·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for smileless

The tones were replete with mild consternation, and the look that went with them was smileless to the degree of actual gloom.
Eleven Possible Cases|Frank R. Stockton
Bellows, smileless and resourceful individual, seemed a bit uncertain, not to say upset.
The Alternative|George Barr McCutcheon
There was a smileless gravity about his lips and eyes which was very impressive.
Prairie Folks|Hamlin Garland
His eyebrows twitched slightly, but his mouth was smileless; Miss Hopkins was smiling, and not at all displeased.
A Woman Named Smith|Marie Conway Oemler

Mary Virginia came listlessly, dragging her feet, her eyes somber in a smileless face.
Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man|Marie Conway Oemler

British Dictionary definitions for smileless

smile

/ (smaɪl) /

noun

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

favour or blessingthe smile of fortune

an agreeable appearance

verb

(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 smileshe smiled a welcome

(tr often foll by away) to drive away or change by smilingsmile away one's tears

come up smiling to recover cheerfully from misfortune

Derived forms of smile

smiler, nounsmiling, adjectivesmilingly, adverbsmilingness, noun

Word Origin for smile

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

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

Idioms and Phrases with smileless

smile

In addition to the idiom beginning with smile

smile on

also see:

crack a smile