smile
/smaɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /smaɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsmī(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)
smile — noun
- smilesingular
- smilesplural
1. the expression you make when the corners of your mouth lift up, usually because
the expression you make when the corners of your mouth lift up, usually because you are happy, amused, or want to be friendly toward someone
Théo broke into a wide smile when he saw his friend at the station.
collocation: break into a smile
Maja gave the nervous child a warm, encouraging smile before the test.
collocation: give someone a [adjective] smile
A polite smile appeared on Feng's face as he welcomed the guests into his home.
Arjun wiped the smile off his face when he realized the teacher was serious.
The old photograph showed her grandmother's gentle smile from many years ago.
- frown
an expression made by bringing your eyebrows together, showing displeasure or worry
文法句型
a [adjective] smile
a smile on someone's face
give someone a smile
break into a smile
smile — verb
- smilepresent simple I / you / we / they
- smileshe / she / it
- smiledpast simple
- smiling-ing form
1. to raise the sides of your lips inward and upward to show that you are happy, fr
to raise the sides of your lips inward and upward to show that you are happy, friendly, or amused, often when greeting someone or reacting to something pleasant
The baby smiled at her mother and reached out her tiny hands.
pattern: smile at someone
Walid smiled when he heard that his team had won the final match.
Adisa smiled politely at the waiter as he handed him the menu.
Megan smiled to herself while reading the funny text from her sister.
Pim smiled at the old photograph and felt a flood of warm memories.
- frown
to bring your eyebrows together and show displeasure or concentration
文法句型
smile at someone
smile about something
smile to yourself
smile at something
用法筆記
This sense is intransitive and does not take a direct object. Common grammatical patterns include 'smile at [someone/something]', 'smile about [something]', and 'smile to yourself'. The subject can be a person, or figuratively 'luck' or 'fate' ('Fortune smiled on us').
常見錯誤
2. to say something or communicate a feeling while smiling, so that your smile is p
to say something or communicate a feeling while smiling, so that your smile is part of the way you express yourself
'Welcome home, Théo,' Felix smiled warmly as he held the front door open.
pattern: smile + speech
Sivan smiled her thanks and sat down in the chair next to the window.
pattern: smile your thanks
'You did a great job on the project,' the manager smiled, handing Wren the report.
Vinícius smiled a friendly greeting to the new family that moved in next door.
文法句型
smile + speech
smile your thanks/greeting/welcome
用法筆記
This sense takes a direct object such as a greeting, thanks, or a smile itself. It is also commonly used as a reporting verb for speech ('…,' she smiled). The object is typically a positive feeling or polite gesture, not a concrete thing.