smile

¹smile

verb \ˈsmī(-ə)l\

smiledsmil·ing

Definition of SMILE

intransitive verb

1

: to have, produce, or exhibit a smile

2

a : to look or regard with amusement or ridicule <smiled at his own folly — Martin Gardner> b : to bestow approval <feeling that Heaven smiled on his labors — Sheila Rowlands> c : to appear pleasant or agreeable

transitive verb

1

: to affect with or by smiling

2

: to express by a smile

— smil·er noun

— smil·ing·ly \ˈsmī-liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of SMILE

1. The photographer asked us to smile for the camera.
2. She smiled when she saw him.
3. Both parents smiled their approval.

Origin of SMILE

Middle English; akin to Old English smerian to laugh, Sanskrit smayate he smiles

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SMILE

Synonyms: beam, grin

Related Words: laugh, simper; smirk, sneer

Near Antonyms: grimace; frown, glare, gloom, glower, lower (also lour), scowl; pout, sulk

see all synonyms and antonyms

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