noun
smile
SMYL
noun
1
A facial expression made by curving the mouth upward, usually showing happiness or friendliness.
"She greeted us with a warm smile."
"His smile faded as he read the message."
verb
1
To make this expression.
"The baby smiled at her mother for the first time."
"He smiled politely despite feeling nervous."
How to Use Smile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo show happiness, amusement, or friendliness by curving your mouth upward.
Common pairings
smile at
smile back
a warm smile
crack a smile
Word Forms
smiled past tense, smiles plural, smiles singular
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She greeted us with a warm _____.
Etymology
From Middle English smilen, from Old Germanic roots, related to an ancient word meaning "to laugh or wonder."