Smile

Pronunciation

• IPA: /smaɪl/
• Rhymes: -aɪl

Origin

From Middle English smilen ("to smile"), of origin, from Danish smile ("to smile"), from Old Norse *smíla ("to smile"), from Proto-Germanic *smīlijaną, *smirōną ("to smile"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meyh₂- ("to laugh, be glad, wonder"). Cognate with Swedish smila ("to smile"), Low German smielen ("to smile"), Dutch smuilen ("to smile"), Middle High German smielen ("to smile"), Old High German smierōn ("to smile"), Old English smerian ("to laugh at"), Old English smercian, smearcian ("to smile"), Latin miror ("to wonder at"). More at smirk.

Full definition of smile

Noun

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 or anxiety.
   She's got a perfect smile.
   He has a sinister smile.
   She had a smile on her face.
   He always puts a smile on my face.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady....She looked around expectantly, and recognizing Mrs. Cooke's maid...Miss Thorn greeted her with a smile which greatly prepossessed us in her favor.
• 1910, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price Chapter 1, Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• archaic smile
• besmile
• Chelsea smile
• Glasgow smile
• smileless
• smilet
• smiley
• vertical smile

Verb

1. (ambitransitive) To have (a smile) on one's face.
   When you smile, the whole world smiles with you.   I don't know what he's smiling about.   She smiles a beautiful smile.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 7, “… This is Mr. Churchill, who, as you are aware, is good enough to come to us for his diaconate, and, as we hope, for much longer; and being a gentleman of independent means, he declines to take any payment.” Saying this Walden rubbed his hands together and smiled contentedly.
2. (transitive) To express by smiling.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 2, I had occasion … to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return … I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, …, and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town. I was completely mystified at such an unusual proceeding.
3. to smile consent, or a welcome
4. (intransitive) To express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness.
• ByronWhen last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled.
5. (intransitive) To look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy.The sun smiled down from a clear summer sky.
• Alexander PopeThe desert smiled,
  And paradise was opened in the wild.
6. (intransitive) To be propitious or favourable; to countenance.The gods smiled on his labours.

Derived terms

• smiler

Anagrams

• limes, miles, Miles, slime