adjective
Common
smiling
SMEYE-lihng
Smiling (adjective) means wearing a smile; cheerful in expression. Example: “A smiling child waved at us from the back of the bus.”
adjective
1
Wearing a smile; cheerful in expression.
"A smiling child waved at us from the back of the bus."
"The smiling nurse greeted every patient by name."
"The smiling waiter handed us our menus."
noun
1
The act of making a smile.
"I could tell from all the smiling that the party was going well."
"The photographer asked the group to try a little less forced smiling."
"His constant smiling put everyone at ease."
How to use smiling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWearing a happy expression, or the act of doing so.
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Word forms
- Plural
- smilings
- Comparative
- more smiling
- Superlative
- most smiling
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A _____ child waved at us from the back of the bus.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for smiling
See all rhymes for smiling →Frequently asked questions
What does “smiling” mean?
The word “smiling” means wearing a smile; cheerful in expression. In plain terms, wearing a happy expression, or the act of doing so.
How do you pronounce “smiling”?
“Smiling” is pronounced SMEYE-lihng (/ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “smiling” in a sentence?
Here is “smiling” used in a sentence: “The smiling waiter handed us our menus.”
What is the opposite of “smiling”?
The opposite of “smiling” — its antonyms — is unsmiling.
What part of speech is “smiling”?
Depending on how it is used, “smiling” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “smiling” a common word?
“Smiling” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “smiling” have?
“Smiling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wearing a smile; cheerful in expression.
What is the difference between 'smiling' and 'grinning'?
'Smiling' describes the general upturned, cheerful expression of the mouth. 'Grinning' describes a broad, often toothy smile that can suggest amusement, mischief, or great pleasure.
What is the difference between 'smiling' and 'beaming'?
'Smiling' is the neutral term for wearing a smile, while 'beaming' means smiling broadly and radiantly, usually out of strong happiness or pride. Beaming implies more visible joy than a simple smile.
Can 'smiling' be used as an adjective?
Yes, 'smiling' works as an adjective meaning wearing a smile or cheerful in expression, as in 'a smiling face' or 'smiling children'. In this use it describes the noun rather than an ongoing action.
What is the opposite of 'smiling'?
The direct opposite is 'unsmiling', meaning not wearing a smile and often serious or stern in expression. Words like 'frowning' or 'scowling' describe more actively negative expressions.
