smiley

1 of 2

adjective

smil·​ey ˈsmī-lē 

: having a smile : smiling often

smiley kids

smiley

2 of 2

noun

: emoticon

Examples of smiley in a Sentence

Adjective

She's a very smiley kid.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Bo looked like the spitting image of his dad in a smiley photo of the pair matching in dark caps. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

The juxtaposition of Louis being smiley and coy about his diversified portfolio and Regina’s cramped living situation with multiple roommates in an apartment where mice are falling from the ceiling is jarring. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Noun

Kardashian looked outdoorsy in a red bandana and T-shirt and gray hoodie, in a shot with son Psalm and a smiley selfie with daughter Chicago and Hamilton. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 14 July 2026

The casual, smiley snap featured William, 43, and Kate, 44, lying in a grassy field alongside their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 8. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for smiley face

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1987, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing smiley

• smiley face

Rhymes for smiley

• dryly
• highly
• kiley
• shyly
• slyly
• wily
• wryly

Kids Definition

smiley

1 of 2 adjective

smil·​ey ˈsmī-lē 

: exhibiting a smile : frequently smiling

smiley

2 of 2 noun

: emoticon