smile

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A pleased or friendly look made by turning up the corners of the mouth.

   Grammar: Countable: a warm smile, two smiles.

   Patterns

   • a smile on someone's face
   • with a smile
   • give someone a smile

   She greeted us with a warm smile.

   A smile spread across his face when he saw the gift.

   The little boy gave a shy smile.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To make this expression, usually to show happiness, friendliness or amusement.

   Grammar: Usually no object; add at or to for the person: smile at her.

   Patterns

   • smile at someone
   • smile about something
   • smile with something

   He smiled at the baby and waved.

   She smiled when she read the message.

   Everyone smiled for the camera.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To express something, such as thanks or approval, by smiling.

   Grammar: Takes an object like a greeting or a feeling: she smiled her thanks.

   Patterns

   • smile a greeting
   • smile your thanks

   She smiled her thanks and took the parcel.

   The nurse smiled a welcome to the patient.

   He smiled his approval across the room.

Word forms

Common combinations

a big smile

She had a big smile on her face after the exam.

smile broadly

He smiled broadly when his name was called.

force a smile

I forced a smile even though I was upset.

a faint smile

A faint smile crossed her lips.

smile from ear to ear

The winner smiled from ear to ear.

Synonyms and how they differ

grin

A grin is wider and shows the teeth, while a smile can be small and quiet.

beam

Beam suggests a radiant smile of great joy or pride.

smirk

A smirk is a smug or mocking smile and is usually disapproving, unlike a friendly smile.

Opposites

Word family

smiling adjective

showing a smile

smiley noun

a symbol or emoji of a smiling face

smilingly adverb

in a smiling way

Commonly confused: smile or smirk?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “smile”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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