Smile

/ˈsmaɪl/ noun, verb, slang

noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement, goodwill, or anxiety.
  • Grammar: smile is listed as noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: grin, accost, address, assent.
  • Useful contrasts: french larme, galician lagrima, more continuous tearing.
  • Usage evidence: "Good morning", said Tom with a smile.

How to use "smile"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "smile" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. 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 "smile" 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 "smile" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "smile" 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 "smile" is acting as noun, verb, slang 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 "grin" 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 "smile", 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. 1
    A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement, goodwill, or anxiety.

    "She's got a perfect smile."

  2. 2
    a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement wordnet
  3. 3
    Favour; propitious regard. figuratively

    "the smile of the gods"

  4. 4
    A drink bought by one person for another. dated, slang
Verb
  1. 1
    To have (a smile) on one's face. ambitransitive

    "When you smile, the whole world smiles with you."

  2. 2
    change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure wordnet
  3. 3
    To express by smiling. transitive

    "to smile consent, or a welcome"

  4. 4
    express with a smile wordnet
  5. 5
    To express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness. intransitive

    "When last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    To look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy. intransitive

    "The sun smiled down from a clear summer sky."

  2. 7
    To be propitious or favourable; to countenance. intransitive

    "The gods smiled on his labours."

  3. 8
    Of ackee fruit: to open fully, indicating that it is no longer toxic, and ready to be picked. intransitive

    "The fruit looks a bit like a large pink mango or guava, until it has ripened. Then it “smiles,” bursting open, exposing yellow meat with black seeds."

Synonyms

All synonyms
grinaccostaddressassentbe in heavenbe pleased

Antonyms

french larmegalician lagrimamore continuous tearingmost reflex tearing

Example

""Good morning", said Tom with a smile."

Common questions

What does "smile" mean?

A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement, goodwill, or anxiety.

What is a synonym for "smile"?

Common synonyms include: grin, accost, address, assent, be in heaven, be pleased.

How do you use "smile" in a sentence?

"Good morning", said Tom with a smile.

How do you pronounce "smile"?

Pronounced /ˈsmaɪl/.

Etymology

From Middle English smilen (“to smile”), from Middle Low German *smîlen (“to smile”), from Middle High German smielen, from Old High German smielēn, from Proto-West Germanic *smīlēn, from Proto-Germanic *smīlāną (“to smile”), from Proto-Indo-European *smey- (“to laugh, be glad, wonder”). Cognate with Danish smile, Swedish smila, Faroese smíla (“to smile”); also Saterland Frisian smielje (“to smile”), Low German smielen (“to smile”), Dutch smuilen (“to smile”), Middle High German smielen (“to smile”). Related also to Old High German smierōn (“to smile”), Old English smerian (“to laugh at”), Old English smercian, smearcian ("to smile"; > English smirk), Latin mīror (“to wonder at”).

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