smiling

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounapproving

   Showing pleasure, friendliness, or amusement by turning the mouth upward.

   Grammar: Describes appearance before a noun: a smiling child; after linking verbs it is less common than smiling at someone.

   Patterns

   • a smiling face
   • smiling eyes
   • a smiling baby
   • a smiling crowd

   A smiling guide welcomed the visitors at the door.

   She had smiling eyes even when she was tired.

   The photo showed a smiling family outside their new home.

2. 2verbintransitive

   Present participle of smile: making the facial expression that shows pleasure or friendliness.

   Grammar: Often takes at or about; it does not usually take a direct object.

   Patterns

   • smiling at someone
   • smiling about something
   • keep smiling
   • stand smiling

   He was smiling at the dog rolling in the grass.

   They left the concert smiling about the last song.

   Keep smiling while the photos are taken.

Common combinations

smiling face

The poster showed a smiling face above the clinic name.

smiling eyes

Her smiling eyes made the apology easier to accept.

keep smiling

Even after the delay, the crew told us to keep smiling.

smiling at someone

The teacher was smiling at the student's experiment.

Synonyms and how they differ

beaming

A wider, brighter smile; stronger and more visible than simply smiling.

grinning

Usually shows teeth and can suggest mischief; smiling is broader and softer.

cheerful

Describes a general mood, not the facial expression itself.

Opposites

Word family

smile verb

Base verb meaning to make a pleased facial expression.

smile noun

The expression itself: a warm smile.

smilingly adverb

In a smiling manner; uncommon and literary.

unsmiling adjective

Not smiling; serious or severe in expression.

Commonly confused: smiling or simile?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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