Collocations for "smile"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "smile" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
smile
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- smile at the [crowd, camera, fans]
- smile to the [crowd]
- smile for the [camera, photo, picture]
- smiled to herself
- smiling at each other
- smiled in [satisfaction, recognition]
- smiled in [return, response, relief]
- smiled back at her
- smiled and nodded
- smiling [from ear to ear, broadly, slightly]
- smiled [smugly, knowingly, awkwardly, inwardly, conspiratorially]
- smiling and [laughing, waving]
- smiling with [pleasure, joy, pride, satisfaction]
- smiled as he [said, did, went, spoke]
- smile [broadly, slightly, sweetly, warmly, weakly, nervously, confidently]
- smiled [his, in] thanks
- [I can, this will] make you smile
- his eyes were smiling
- luck is smiling on me (today)
- the gods are smiling upon us
- a [wide, big, huge] smile
- has (such) a [nice, friendly, warm] smile
- put on a [brave, false, courageous] smile
- your smile is contagious
- give [us, the camera] a smile
- [flashed, shot, offered, gave, threw] (her) a smile
- this [should, ought to, will] put a smile on your face!
- this [should] wipe the smile off his face!
- she [walked, worked, spoke] with a smile
- a smile [lit up, crossed, illuminated] his face
- a smile costs nothing
- his smile showed his [white, clear, missing] teeth
- were all smiles after the [win, success]
'smile' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
absent
- add
- amused
- asset
- bright
- camera
- charm
- cheeky
- cheesy
- cloak
- cocky
- constrained
- constraint
- coy
- crack
- crease
- creep
- crooked
- dazzle
- dazzling
- delight
- delighted
- devious
- die
- dimple
- eager
- elicit
- endearing
- engaging
- enthusiastic
- essay
- faint
- fixed
- flash
- flicker
- fond
- force
- forced
- friendly
- genuine
- ghastly
- goofy
- greasy
- greet
- guarantee
- hint
- hollow
- innocent
- inward
- kindly