smile

UK: /ˈsmaɪl/ US: /smaɪl/ ,(smīl)

Inflections of 'smile' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

smiles

v 3rd person singular

smiling

v pres p

smiled

v past

smiled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

smile /smaɪl/   v., smiled, smil•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to put on a facial expression that involves an upturning of the corners of the mouth, usually indicating pleasure or amusement, but sometimes scorn: [no object]
   He smiled happily when he heard the news.
   [~ + at + object]
   She smiled happily at him.
   [~ + object]
   She smiled a happy smile at the news.
2. to look at someone with favor:
   [~ + on + object] Luck smiled on us that night.
3. to express by a smile:
   [~ + object] to smile approval.

n. [countable]

4. an act or instance of smiling;
   a smiling expression of the face:
   A broad smile crossed his face.

smil•ing•ly, adv.: 

She gestured smilingly to him.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

smile  (smīl), v., smiled, smil•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to assume a facial expression indicating pleasure, favor, or amusement, but sometimes derision or scorn, characterized by an upturning of the corners of the mouth.
2. to regard with favor:
   Luck smiled on us that night.
3. to have a pleasant or agreeable appearance or aspect, as natural scenes, objects, etc.:
   The landscape smiled in the sunlight.

v.t. 

4. to assume or give (a smile, esp. of a given kind):
   She smiled a warm and friendly smile.
5. to express by a smile:
   to smile approval.
6. to bring, put, drive, etc., by or as by smiling:
   to smile one's tears away.
7. smile at:
   • to regard with pleasure or amusement, as with a smile.
   • to regard with mild derision:
     to smile at someone's affectations.

n. 

8. the act or an instance of smiling;
   a smiling expression of the face.
9. favor or kindly regard:
   fortune's smile.
10. a pleasant or agreeable appearance, look, or aspect.

• 1250–1300; Middle English smyllen (verb, verbal); cognate with Old High German smīlan, Danish smile

smile′less, adj. 
smile′less•ly, adv. 
smile′less•ness, n. 
smil′er, n. 
smil′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1,
• 8. See laugh. 

Antonyms

• 1,
• 8. frown.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

smile / smaɪl/ noun

1. a facial expression characterized by an upturning of the corners of the mouth, usually showing amusement, friendliness, etc, but sometimes scorn, etc
2. favour or blessing: the smile of fortune

verb

1. (intransitive) to wear or assume a smile
2. (intransitive) followed by at: to look (at) with a kindly or amused expression
3. to look derisively (at) instead of being annoyed
4. to bear (troubles, etc) patiently
5. (intr; followed by on or upon) to show approval; bestow a blessing
6. (transitive) to express by means of a smile: she smiled a welcome
7. (transitive) often followed by away: to drive away or change by smiling: smile away one's tears
8. come up smiling ⇒ to recover cheerfully from misfortune

Etymology: 13th Century: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish smila, Danish smile; related to Middle High German smielen

ˈsmiler noun

ˈsmiling adjective

ˈsmilingly adverb