Smile — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈsmī(-ə)l/

Meaning & Definition of Smile

Smile (verb)

  1. to have, produce, or exhibit a smile
  2. to look or regard with amusement or ridicule
  3. to bestow approval

Smile (noun)

  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

Smile (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express an emotion (as amusement) by curving the lips upward

    "the soldier smiled in pleasure when he saw the giant sign welcoming him home"

    similar: beam, grin
    related: laugh, simper, smirk, sneer
    near: grimace, frown, glare, gloom, glower, lower, scowl, pout, sulk

  2. to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions

    "smiled at their ridiculous antics and walked away in disgust"

    similar: laugh, sneer, snicker, snigger
    related: sniff, snort, catcall, deride, gibe, hoot, insult, jeer, mock, ridicule, decry, despise, disdain, scoff (at), scorn, bad-mouth, belittle, disparage, pooh-pooh, put down, heckle, jive, razz, rib, ride, taunt, tease, torment

Smile (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in grin, smirk

    similar: grin, simper, smirk, crow, whoop, belly laugh, boff, boffola, cachinnation, cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, hee-haw, horselaugh, laugh, laughter, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter
    opposite: cry, groan, moan, sob, wail, face, frown, grimace, lower, mouth, pout, scowl

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Smile

The most common words with a similar meaning to Smile:

beam, grin, laugh, sneer, snicker, snigger, simper, smirk, crow, whoop, belly laugh, boff, boffola, cachinnation, cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, hee-haw, horselaugh, laughter, titter, twitter

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Smile

Words with the opposite meaning of Smile:

cry, groan, moan, sob, wail, face, frown, grimace, lower, mouth, pout, scowl

Related Words for Smile

sniff, snort, catcall, deride, gibe, hoot, insult, jeer, mock, ridicule, decry, despise, disdain, scoff (at), scorn, bad-mouth, belittle, disparage, pooh-pooh, put down, heckle, jive, razz, rib, ride, taunt, tease, torment

Near Antonyms of Smile

glare, gloom, glower, sulk

Word Forms of Smile

Inflections: smiled, smiling

Derived words: smiler (noun), smilingly (adverb), smileless (adjective)

Origin & 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"

First known use: 14th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Smile

Words & Phrases Containing Smile

smile from ear to ear, smile on/upon, smile to oneself, archaic smile, a smile on one's lips, bring a smile to one's lips, crack a smile, thin smile

Frequently Asked Questions about Smile

What does "Smile" mean?

"Smile" means to have, produce, or exhibit a smile. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to have, produce, or exhibit a smile. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Smile"?

Other words for "Smile" include beam, grin, laugh, sneer, snicker, snigger, simper and smirk. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Smile" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Smile"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Smile". Common alternatives include beam, grin, laugh, sneer, snicker, snigger, simper, smirk, crow and whoop.

What is the opposite of "Smile"?

Antonyms of "Smile" include cry, groan, moan, sob, wail, face, frown and grimace. Near antonyms include glare, gloom, glower and sulk.

How do you use "Smile" in a sentence?

Examples of "Smile" in a sentence: "the soldier smiled in pleasure when he saw the giant sign welcoming him home"; "smiled at their ridiculous antics and walked away in disgust".

Is "Smile" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Smile" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Smile" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Smile" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Smile"?

"Smile" is pronounced /ˈsmī(-ə)l/.