Smile Meaning and Definition
Smile
Pronunciation
/smайl/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A facial expression characterized by the lifting of the corners of the mouth and the curving upwards of the lips, typically used to convey happiness, friendliness, or amusement.
Examples
- She smiled warmly at the child.
- He flashed a bright smile at the photographer.
Synonyms
- Giggle
- Grin
- Gleam
Antonyms
- Frown
- Pout
- Grimace
Etymology
The word “Smile” originates from Old English “smyl”, derived from Proto-Germanic “*smiliz”, and relates to the physical act of curling up the lips.
Usage Notes
Smile is often used as a noun or verb, with the noun form typically referring to the physical expression and the verb form referring to the action of smiling.
Cultural References
Smile has been featured in various cultural references, such as the iconic Smiley emoticon 🙂 and the phrase “Break out into a smile” from the Disney movie Frozen.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Break out into a smile”
- “Smile and nod”
- “Make someone smile”
Related Words or Phrases
- Laugh
- Joke
- Humor
Collocations
- Smile face
- Smile on someone’s face
- Spread a smile
Frequency of Use
Smile is a commonly used word in everyday language, with an estimated frequency of 1.25% in spoken English.
Common Misspellings
- Smyle
- Smilely