smile Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
    grinning; smiling; grin.
  2. verb change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
  3. verb express with a smile
    • She smiled her thanks

WordNet


Smile intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. smilen; akin to Dan. smile, Sw. smila, MHG. smielen, smieren, L. mirari to wonder at, Skr. smi to smile; and probably to E. smicker. Cf. Admire, Marvel, Smirk.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Smiled ; present participle & verbal noun Smiling
Definitions
  1. To express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy, or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently.
    He doth nothing but frown . . . He hears merry tales and smiles not. Shak.
    She led to see the doughty hero slain. Pope.
    When last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled. Byron.
  2. To express slight contempt by a look implying sarcasm or pity; to sneer.
    'T was what I said to Craggs and Child, Who praised my modesty, and smiled. Pope.
  3. To look gay and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy; as, smiling spring; smilimg plenty.
    The desert smiled, And paradise was opened in the wild. Pope.
  4. To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; -- often with on; as, to smile on one's labors.
Smile transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To express by a smile; as, to smile consent; to smile a welcome to visitors.
  2. To affect in a certain way with a smile. R.
    And sharply smile prevailing folly dead. Young.
Smile noun
Etymology
CF. Dan. smiil, Sw. smil. See Smile, v. i.
Definitions
  1. The act of smiling; a peculiar change or brightening of the face, which expresses pleasure, moderate joy, mirth, approbation, or kindness; -- opposed to frown.
    Sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles: for smiles from reason flow. Milton.
  2. A somewhat similar expression of countenance, indicative of satisfaction combined with malevolent feelings, as contempt, scorn, etc; as, a scornful smile.
  3. Favor; countenance; propitiousness; as, the smiles of Providence. "The smile of heaven." Shak.
  4. Gay or joyous appearance; as, the smiles of spring.
    The brightness of their [the flowers'] smile was gone. Bryant.

Webster 1913