smile
verb (used without object)
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.
were smiling
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past progressiveof smile.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“If you pause the footage and look closely, you’ll see other people in the background who were smiling at the performance,” Landes added, referencing videos like this one.
From Slate ● May 30, 2025
Describing herself as frozen and “deeply confused” by confused by what was happening, Williams said it appeared that Trump and Epstein were smiling at each other during the incident.
From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2024
Everywhere I looked people were smiling, celebrating a young boy who has hopefully made life better for himself and countless others.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2023
Fortunately, the casting gods were smiling on us when we met Jenna Ortega.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2023
And so he cast back to the sharp picture in his head and knew that the eyes were smiling too.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
