smile

IPA/smaɪl/
KK[smˈaɪl]IPA/smaɪl/

smile — noun

  • smilesingular
  • smilesplural

1. the expression you make when the corners of your mouth lift up, usually because

1.nounA1
Definition

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

Example

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

Common collocations
  • bright smile
  • warm smile
  • big smile
  • polite smile
  • gentle smile
  • forced smile
  • break into a smile
  • flash a smile
  • give a smile
Synonyms
  • grin

    a much wider smile, often showing the teeth, suggesting stronger amusement or happiness

  • beam

    a very bright and happy smile that makes the whole face light up

  • smirk

    a smile that suggests self-satisfaction or knowing something others do not; often negative

Antonyms
  • frown

    an expression made by bringing your eyebrows together, showing displeasure or worry

Grammar Patterns

a [adjective] smile

a smile on someone's face

give someone a smile

break into a smile

smile — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words describe ways of smiling, but they differ in width, emotion, and connotation. 'Grin' is a very wide smile that often shows your teeth, used when you are extremely pleased or amused ('Theo grinned from ear to ear when he won the prize'). 'Beam' suggests a bright, radiant smile that lights up the whole face, usually from deep happiness or pride ('Maja beamed as she accepted the award'). 'Smirk' has a narrower, more controlled smile that tilts to one side, suggesting self-satisfaction or secret knowledge, often in a way others find irritating ('He smirked at his classmate's mistake'). For a regular, neutral expression of friendliness or pleasure, use 'smile'.

grin ↗beam ↗smirk ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'smile' comes from the Old English verb 'smilian', which is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German 'smilēn' and Middle Dutch 'smīlen'. It has been used in English since before the 12th century to describe the facial expression of pleasure or friendliness.