smile
gb/smˈaɪl/ us/smˈaɪl/
A1
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Form a happy facial expression
To move your mouth so the corners go up, often when you are happy or friendly.
Usage pattern:
to smile [at someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'smile' with 'laugh'; smiling is a silent facial expression, while laughing makes sound.
Synonyms
grin (Often suggests a wider or more obvious smile, sometimes playful or cheeky.)
Antonyms
frown (Facial expression with the corners of the mouth turned down, showing sadness, disapproval, or concentration.)
Collocations
smile warmly
|smile broadly
|smile politely
|smile shyly
|smile proudly
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She smiled when she saw her old friend.
- He smiled at the children playing in the park.
- I couldn't help but smile when I heard the good news.
- The teacher smiled warmly at the new student.
- They smiled politely during the formal dinner.
Learner examples
- She smiled at me.
- He smiled when he saw his dog.
- I smile when I am happy.
- The baby smiled at her mother.
- We smile when we meet friends.
Noun
A1
entity
2
An upward-curved mouth expression
The look on your face when your mouth goes up at the corners, often when happy or kind.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] smile
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'smile' (noun) with 'smiling' (verb form); 'smile' is the thing you see, 'smiling' is the action.
Synonyms
grin (A broader or more obvious type of smile.)
Antonyms
scowl (An angry or bad-tempered facial expression.)
Collocations
bright smile
|warm smile
|broad smile
|shy smile
|fake smile
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her smile lit up the room.
- He gave me a warm smile.
- The child had a shy smile on her face.
- I could tell from his smile that he was pleased.
- She wore a fake smile during the meeting.
Learner examples
- She has a big smile.
- His smile is very nice.
- I like your smile.
- Her smile makes me happy.
- He gave me a small smile.
Verb
A2
action
3
Smile to show approval or amusement
To show you like something or think it is funny by smiling without talking.
Usage pattern:
to smile [in approval/encouragement]
Synonyms
beam (Implies a very broad and happy smile, often from pride or joy.)
Collocations
smile encouragingly
|smile approvingly
|smile knowingly
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The coach smiled encouragingly at the team.
- She smiled approvingly as he finished his speech.
- He smiled knowingly at the joke.
Learner examples
- She smiled at my answer.
- He smiled when I finished my work.
- The teacher smiled when I read my story.
Grammar
Dictionary form
smile
IPA
GB/smˈaɪl/
US/smˈaɪl/
Syllables & stress
smile (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (smile)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: smile
- Plural: smiles
Verb
- Base: smile
- 3rd Person Singular: smiles
- Present Participle: smiling
- Past: smiled
Word family
Forms
smiles
noun
smiling
verb
smiled
verb
Related words
smiler
noun
smiley
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unsmiling
adjective
Advanced or less common
smilingly
adverb
Expressions
crack a smile
1/kɹˈæk ə smˈaɪl/
idiom
informal
Start to form a small smile
To start to make a small smile, often after not smiling for a while.
Examples
- He finally cracked a smile after hearing the joke.
- Even she cracked a smile at the silly story.
force a smile
1/fˈɔɹs ə smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
Deliberately make oneself smile despite feelings
To make yourself smile even if you do not feel happy.
Examples
- She forced a smile during the awkward meeting.
- He forced a smile though he was upset.
put a smile on someone's face
1/pˈʊt ə smˈaɪl ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈeɪs/
idiom
Make someone start smiling happily
To make someone happy so they start smiling.
Examples
- Her kindness put a smile on my face.
- The surprise party put big smiles on everyone’s faces.
smile at
1/smˈaɪl ˈæt/
fixed phrase
Direct a smile toward someone/something
To look at someone or something and make a smile toward them.
Examples
- She smiled at her friend across the room.
- He smiled at the baby in the stroller.
wipe the smile off someone's face
1/wˈaɪp ðə smˈaɪl ˈɔf sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈeɪs/
idiom
informal
Cause someone to stop smiling
To make someone stop smiling because something bad happens or they feel upset.
Examples
- That news will wipe the smile off his face.
- Losing the game wiped the smiles off their faces.