What does "grin" mean?
A smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth.
Grin
/ɡɹɪn/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth.
- Grammar: grin is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: smile, beam, beam, beamed.
- Useful contrasts: frown, frowning, genuine smile.
- Usage evidence: You could tell by the ear-to-ear grin that came to his face that he really had something to smile about.
How to use "grin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "grin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "grin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "grin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "grin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "grin" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "smile" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "grin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth.
"When the ceremony was finished a wide grin broke across his face, and it was that grin she saw, relieved and happy all at once."
- 2 A snare; a gin. obsolete
- 3 a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement wordnet
Verb
- 1 To smile, parting the lips so as to show the teeth. intransitive
"Why do you grin? Did I say something funny?"
- 2 to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl wordnet
- 3 To express by grinning. transitive
"She grinned pleasure at his embarrassment."
- 4 To show the teeth, like a snarling dog. dated, intransitive
"The pangs of death do make him grin."
- 5 To grin as part of producing a particular facial expression, such as a smile or sneer. transitive
"He grinned a broad smile when I told him the result."
Example
"You could tell by the ear-to-ear grin that came to his face that he really had something to smile about."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "grin"?
Common synonyms include: smile, beam, beam, beamed, beaming, beams.
How do you use "grin" in a sentence?
You could tell by the ear-to-ear grin that came to his face that he really had something to smile about.
How do you pronounce "grin"?
Pronounced /ɡɹɪn/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English grinnen, from Old English grennian, from Proto-West Germanic *grannjōn, from Proto-Germanic *granjōną. Related to groan. Compare to Middle High German grennen (“to mutter, complain”) and Danish grine (“to show one's teeth, to laugh”)
Etymology 2
From Middle English grin, grinne, grine, 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”). Related to English yarn.