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smile

SMYL/ˈsmaɪl/

Pluralsmiles

Verbsmiles, smiling, smiled

8 meanings of smile

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  1. 1
    facial expressionnouncountable
    A look you make by turning up the corners of your mouth, often showing your teeth, usually when happy or friendly.

    The baby gave her mother a big smile.

    Their smiles showed how happy they were to be home.

    UsageSay with a smile, or a smile on your face.

    Similargrin, beam

    Oppositefrown, scowl

  2. 2
    curve the lipsverbtransitive or intransitive
    To make the corners of your mouth go up, usually because you are happy, amused, or friendly.

    People smile when they see something funny.

    She smiled at her grandmother across the table.

    UsageSay you smile at someone or something.

  3. 3
    seem sunnyverbintransitive
    To look bright and happy, the way a place looks on a sunny day.

    The fields smile when the sun comes out after the rain.

    The little town smiled in the bright morning light.

    UsageOften the sun smiled down. Smile on means something else: to bring good luck.

    Similarglow, shine, beam, sparkle

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English smilen, going back through old Germanic words to a very old root meaning "to laugh or be glad."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts