Definition of “smile” - English Dictionary

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“smile” in English

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smilenoun [ C ]

uk ​ /smaɪl/ us ​ /smaɪl/

B1 a happy or friendly expression on the face in which the ends of the mouth curve up slightly, often with the lips moving apart so that the teeth can be seen:

Amy had a big/broad smile on her face.
She has a nice smile.
He winked and gave me a smile.
It's nice to be able to bring a smile to people's faces (= make people smile).

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

be all smiles

smileverb

uk ​ /smaɪl/ us ​ /smaɪl/

B1 [ I or T ] to make a happy or friendly expression in which the corners of your mouth curve up:

He smiled and shook my hand.
When he smiled at me I knew everything was all right.
Esme's so cheerful - she's always smiling.
I couldn't help smiling when I thought of how pleased she was going to be.
He smiled politely as Mary apologized for her drunken friends.
He smiled to himself as he thought about his new girlfriend.
He smiled the smile of a man who knew victory was within reach.

› [ T ] to express or say something with a smile:

He smiled his congratulations and left without another word.
"Don't you worry about a thing. Everything's going to be just fine," smiled Robin reassuringly.

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Phrasal verb(s)

smile on sth/sb

(Definition of “smile” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“smile” in American English

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smilenoun [ C ]

us ​ /smɑɪl/

› an expression on the face in which the ends of the mouth curve up slightly, often with the lips moving apart so that the teeth can be seen, expressing esp. happiness, pleasure, amusement, or a friendly feeling:

a big/happy/pretty smile
a smile of joy/satisfaction/amusement
We exchanged smiles as we passed in the hallway.
smiley
adjective us ​ /ˈsmɑɪ·li/

› infml

He’s a very smiley, friendly baby.

smileverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /smɑɪl/

› to make a happy or friendly expression in which the ends of the mouth curve up slightly:

[ I ] I couldn’t help smiling.
[ I ] When he smiled at me, I knew everything was OK.
[ I ] She smiled to herself.
[ T ] He smiled a happy smile.

(Definition of “smile” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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