/ˈsmaɪl/, /ˈsmaɪ.əl/
OriginFrom Middle English smilen (“to smile”), from Middle Low German *smîlen (“to smile”), from Middle High German smielen, from Old High German smielēn, from Proto-West Germanic *smīlēn, from Proto-Germanic *smīlāną (“to smile”), from Proto-Indo-European *smey- (“to laugh, be glad, wonder”).
Cognate with Danish smile, Swedish smila, Faroese smíla (“to smile”); also Saterland Frisian smielje (“to smile”), Low German smielen (“to smile”), Dutch smuilen (“to smile”), Middle High German smielen (“to smile”). Related also to Old High German smierōn (“to smile”), Old English smerian (“to laugh at”), Old English smercian, smearcian ("to smile"; > English smirk), Latin mīror (“to wonder at”).
- 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, goodwill, or anxiety.
“She's got a perfect smile.”
“He has a sinister smile.”
“She had a smile on her face.”
- figurativelyFavour; propitious regard.
- dated, slangA drink bought by one person for another.
- ambitransitiveTo 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.”
- transitiveTo express by smiling.
“to smile consent, or a welcome”
“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 ”
- intransitiveTo express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness.
“When last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled.”
- intransitiveTo look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy.
“The sun smiled down from a clear summer sky.”
- intransitiveTo be propitious or favourable; to countenance.
“The gods smiled on his labours.”
- intransitiveOf ackee fruit: to open fully, indicating that it is no longer toxic, and ready to be picked.
“The fruit looks a bit like a large pink mango or guava, until it has ripened. Then it “smiles,” bursting open, exposing yellow meat with black seeds.”
Formssmiles(plural) · smiles(present, singular, third-person) · smiling(participle, present) · smiled(participle, past) · smiled(past)