# grin

Pronunciation: say "GRIN" /ɡɹɪn/

## Noun

1. A broad smile in which the lips part to reveal the teeth.
   - Simple: A wide smile that parts the lips and shows the teeth.
   - _A mischievous grin crossed her face as she revealed the surprise._
   - _The children flashed toothy grins at the camera._

## Verb

2. To smile broadly, parting the lips so that the teeth become visible.
   - Simple: To smile widely so that your teeth show.
   - _He grinned as the crowd cheered him on._
   - _Try not to grin during the serious part of the ceremony._
3. To communicate something by smiling with the teeth showing.
   - Simple: To show a feeling by smiling with your teeth showing.
   - _He grinned his agreement without saying a word._
   - _The twins grin their delight whenever cake appears._
4. To produce a particular facial expression, such as a smile or sneer, by showing the teeth.
   - Simple: To make a face like a smile or sneer by showing your teeth.
   - _She grinned a wicked smile as the plan came together._
   - _Performers grin exaggerated expressions to reach the back row._

## Verb

5. To draw back the lips and bare the teeth, as a snarling dog does. *(dated)*
   - Simple: To show your teeth in an angry way, like a growling dog.
   - _The cornered hound grinned, its lips drawn back over its fangs._
   - _Wolves grin and bristle when defending their kill._

## Noun

6. A snare or trap for catching birds and small game. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A trap used to catch birds or small animals.
   - _He checked every grin along the hedgerow at first light._
   - _The gamekeeper found a hare struggling in one of his grins._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–5** — From Middle English grinnen, from Old English grennian, going back through Proto-West Germanic *grannjōn to Proto-Germanic *granjōną. It is related to 'groan', and compares with Middle High German grennen ('to mutter, complain') and Danish grine ('to show one's teeth, to laugh').
**Meaning 6** — From Middle English grin, from Old English grin ('snare, noose'), of uncertain origin, but probably from the merger of Proto-West Germanic *garni and *garnī ('intestine'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *garniz, *garnō ('guts, intestine'). It is related to English 'yarn'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/grin (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).