smile
SMYL
Smile (noun) means a facial expression made by curving the mouth upward, usually showing happiness or friendliness. Example: “She greeted us with a warm smile.”
noun
1
A facial expression made by curving the mouth upward, usually showing happiness or friendliness.
"She greeted us with a warm smile."
"His smile faded as he read the message."
"The shop assistant gave me a friendly smile as I walked in."
verb
1
To make this expression.
"The baby smiled at her mother for the first time."
"He smiled politely despite feeling nervous."
"Everyone smiled for the camera at the end of the wedding."
How to use smile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo show happiness, amusement, or friendliness by curving your mouth upward.
Common pairings
smile at
smile back
a warm smile
crack a smile
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Word forms
- Plural
- smiles
- Third person singular
- smiles
- Past tense
- smiled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She greeted us with a warm _____.
Etymology
From Middle English smilen, from Old Germanic roots, related to an ancient word meaning "to laugh or wonder."
Related words
Rhymes for smile
See all rhymes for smile →Frequently asked questions
What does “smile” mean?
The word “smile” means a facial expression made by curving the mouth upward, usually showing happiness or friendliness. In plain terms, to show happiness, amusement, or friendliness by curving your mouth upward.
How do you pronounce “smile”?
“Smile” is pronounced SMYL (/ˈsmaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “smile” in a sentence?
Here is “smile” used in a sentence: “She greeted us with a warm smile.”
What part of speech is “smile”?
Depending on how it is used, “smile” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “smile” come from?
The word “smile” comes from Middle English. From Middle English smilen, from Old Germanic roots, related to an ancient word meaning "to laugh or wonder.".
Is “smile” a common word?
“Smile” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “smile” have?
“Smile” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a facial expression made by curving the mouth upward, usually showing happiness or friendliness.
What is the difference between a smile and a grin?
A smile is the general upward curve of the mouth showing happiness or friendliness. A grin is a broader, wider smile that usually shows the teeth and signals strong amusement, mischief or delight. Every grin is a kind of smile, but a grin is bigger and more open than a gentle, closed-mouth smile.
What are the different types of smiles?
People often distinguish a genuine smile, which reaches the eyes and creates crinkles, from a polite or social smile that involves only the mouth. There are also nervous smiles, shy smiles and knowing smiles. The most studied is the true, felt smile, sometimes called a Duchenne smile after the researcher who described it.
Can a smile be fake?
Yes. A forced or polite smile uses only the muscles around the mouth, while a genuine smile also engages the muscles around the eyes. People smile out of courtesy, nerves or social pressure as well as real happiness, so a smile does not always reflect what someone is truly feeling inside.
What is the opposite of a smile?
The clearest opposite is a frown, where the mouth curves downward and the brow tightens, usually showing displeasure, worry or sadness. A scowl or grimace can also stand as an opposite, expressing anger or discomfort. Where a smile signals warmth and happiness, these expressions signal the reverse.
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