smile

verb \ ˈsmī(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: smile in a Sentence

Definition of smile

smiled; smiling

intransitive verb

1 : to have, produce, or exhibit a smile

2 a : to look or regard with amusement or ridicule

smiled at his own folly
—Martin Gardner

b : to bestow approval

feeling that Heaven smiled on his labors
—Sheila Rowlands

c : to appear pleasant or agreeable

transitive verb

1 : to affect with or by smiling

2 : to express by a smile

—

smiler

noun

—

smilingly

play \ˈsmī-liŋ-lē\ adverb

See smile defined for English-language learners

See smile defined for kids

Examples of smile in a Sentence

The photographer asked us to smile for the camera.
She smiled when she saw him.
Both parents smiled their approval.

Recent Examples of smile from the Web

In the now-viral photo, Warren, the first Gerber baby to have Down syndrome, can be seen smiling happily from his seat on Cook’s lap.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "WATCH: This Epic Gerber Baby Meet Up Nearly Broke the Internet," 8 June 2018
The news was posted on her archive’s web site, with a cheerful portrait of her, head tilted, eyes warm and open, smiling.

— jillian steinhauer, The New Republic, "Adrian Piper’s art plays with identity and confronts defensiveness.," 30 May 2018
One Twitter user observed that Chastain's ability to smile politely next to this horrible likeness at Monday's ceremony was a greater accomplishment than her World Cup win.

— christina capatides, CBS News, "Brandi Chastain's Hall of Fame plaque looks nothing like her and the internet is having a field day," 22 May 2018
When Prince Harry lifted her veil and adjusted it behind her royal tiara, the world smiled.

— lauren porter, Essence.com, "Royal Wedding Guests Are Selling Their Favor Bags! Is This Kind of Rude, Or Is It Just Us?," 22 May 2018
But there has not been much to smile about since that 6-3, 6-0 title-clinching victory in the 2017 finals.

— terry monahan, Pomerado News, "Now healthy, Nighthawk looks toward league tennis tourney," 10 May 2018
Somehow, the 15-6 rout by the Dodgers over the Giants at AT&T Park afternoon — the first of a day-night doubleheader — managed to give San Francisco fans and players plenty to smile about by its conclusion.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "How Pablo Sandoval made Giants fans cheer wildly in a 15-6 loss to the Dodgers | The Sacramento Bee," 28 Apr. 2018
Taylor said, smiling, when asked about the pay cut.

— kent somers, azcentral, "Arizona Cardinals a good fit personally and professionally for cornerback Jamar Taylor," 26 May 2018
In its place were smiling counselors who greeted students and parents.

— arika herron, Indianapolis Star, "Noblesville middle school shooting: Community starts to heal after tragedy," 26 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of smile

Middle English smilen, going back to a Germanic verbal base *smil-, *smīl- (from earlier *smei̯l-) "smile," probably an extension with -l- of Indo-European *smei̯- "laugh, smile," whence Old Church Slavic smějǫ sę, smijati sę "to laugh," Latvian smeju, smiêt "to laugh, mock," Tocharian B smi- "smile," Sanskrit smáyate "(s/he) smiles," and with a -d- extension in Greek meidiáein "to smile," philomeidḗs "with a friendly smile," Latvian smaida "smile," smaidît "to smile, mock"

Note: The comparative set for this Germanic etymon do not show clear descent from a single form, perhaps due to its affective character. There is no attested Old English ancestor of Middle English smilen; a Scandinavian source has been suggested, but Danish smile "to smile" and Swedish smila, not attested before the 17th century, could be loans from an unattested Middle Low German verb. Old High German has smilenter (glossing Latin subridens "smiling"), with presumed long vowel, continued by Middle High German smielen. Kiliaen's 1599 Dutch dictionary enters smuylen "subridere," apparently with a different vocalism. Parallel to these are a group of forms with -r- rather than -l-: Old English smerian "to laugh, scorn," Old High German smierēn, smierōn (with e₂?) "to smile," Old English bismerian and Old High German bismerōn "to mock, insult," and, with different vocalism, Old English smǣr, smǣre "lip(s)," gālsmǣre "inclined to laugh, frivolous." The forms with -r- have been compared with Sanskrit (Vedic) á-smera- "not bashful, confiding," and particularly with Latin mīrus "remarkable, amazing," presumed to be derivative of a neuter *mīrum, going back to a noun *smei̯-ro- "laughter, smiling," (though a semantic shift from "laughter" to "astonishment" is questionable).

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

smile Synonyms

Synonyms

laugh, sneer, snicker, snigger;

Related Words

sniff, snort;

catcall, deride, gibe (or jibe), hoot, insult, jeer, mock, ridicule;

decry, despise, disdain;

scoff (at), scorn;

bad-mouth, belittle, disparage, pooh-pooh (also pooh), put down;

heckle, jive, razz, rib, ride, taunt, tease, torment;

smile

noun

Definition of smile

1 : a facial expression in which the eyes brighten and the corners of the mouth curve slightly upward and which expresses especially amusement, pleasure, approval, or sometimes scorn

2 : a pleasant or encouraging appearance

—

smileless

play \ˈsmī(-ə)l-ləs\ adjective

See smile defined for English-language learners

Examples of smile in a Sentence

He greeted me with a big smile.

Recent Examples of smile from the Web

In a campaign video flush with smiles and upbeat music, two Democrats running in the primary for governor gush about each other's credentials – then encourage voters to support them both.

— david sharp, The Christian Science Monitor, "New ranked voting system to be used in Maine primaries," 8 June 2018
Moronci drinks it, coughs and smiles despite its unpleasant taste.

— franklin briceno, chicagotribune.com, "Psychedelic tourism thrives in Peru despite recent killing," 8 June 2018
His flowers with huge smiles are his own super emojis that cover walls and balls (and the Modern’s cafe windows).

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "The Modern goes big and bright with international art star Murakami retrospective," 8 June 2018
Winning tutti fruitti instead of stinky socks brought out some of the biggest smiles and loudest cheers.

— barbara henry, sandiegouniontribune.com, "No lack of sugar-sweet fun at fair's theme building," 8 June 2018
As T-Mobile Arena emptied of all but those wearing red garb and beaming smiles, Ovechkin even paused a television chat to glance over his shoulder and make sure the trophy was not far away.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Finally a champion, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin won't let the Stanley Cup out of his sight," 8 June 2018
Flora’s genuine concern for others, warm spirit and infectious smile will surely be missed by us all.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 6/8," 8 June 2018
The sight was something to make so many Texas anglers grin, with that smile triggered by memories or anticipation.

— shannon tompkins staff writer, San Antonio Express-News, "June spawn signals peak in Texas sunfish action," 7 June 2018
Moronci drinks it, coughs and smiles despite its unpleasant taste.

— Fox News, "Psychedelic tourism thrives in Peru despite recent killing," 7 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of smile

Middle English smyle, derivative of smilen "to ¹smile"

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

SMILE Defined for English Language Learners

smile

verb

Definition of smile for English Language Learners

: to make a smile : to make the corners of your mouth turn up in an expression that shows happiness, amusement, pleasure, affection, etc.
: to show or express (something, such as approval, encouragement, etc.) by a smile
: to say (something) with a smile

smile

noun

Definition of smile for English Language Learners

: an expression on your face that makes the corners of your mouth turn up and that shows happiness, amusement, pleasure, affection, etc.

SMILE Defined for Kids

smile

verb \ ˈsmīl \

Definition of smile for Students

smiled; smiling

1 : make the corners of the mouth turn up in an expression of amusement or pleasure

2 : to look with amusement or pleasure

She smiled at the picture.

3 : to express by a smile

Both parents smiled approval.

smile

noun

Definition of smile for Students

: an expression in which the corners of the mouth turn upward especially to show amusement or pleasure

Learn More about smile

See words that rhyme with smile Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for smile Spanish Central: Translation of smile Nglish: Translation of smile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of smile for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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smile

Definition of smile

smiler

smilingly

Examples of smile in a Sentence

Recent Examples of smile from the Web

Origin and Etymology of smile

smile Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

smile

Definition of smile

smileless

Examples of smile in a Sentence

Recent Examples of smile from the Web

Origin and Etymology of smile

Phrases Related to SMILE

Related Phrases

SMILE Defined for English Language Learners

smile

Definition of smile for English Language Learners

smile

Definition of smile for English Language Learners

SMILE Defined for Kids

smile

Definition of smile for Students

smile

Definition of smile for Students

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