smiling

Noun · Adjective
US[smahy-ling]/ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/2 syllables
Synonyms: smilegringrinningbeamishtwinkly

Open English WordNet

Adjective (1)

  1. smiling with happiness or optimism“Come to my arms, my beamish boy! — Lewis Carroll”“a room of smiling faces”“a round red twinkly Santa Claus”Synonyms: beamishtwinklyOpposite cheerlessSimilar cheerful

Noun (1)

  1. a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusementSynonyms: smilegringrinningType of facial expression, facial gestureKinds smirk, simper

Related words grinning noun, grin verb

Word of the day · Sep 28About this word
onerousadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

“smiling” is listed under Smile.

Smile (smīl), intransitive verb [past tense & past participle Smiled (smīld); present participle & verbal noun Smiling.]

Origin: OE. smilen; akin to Dan. smile, Sw. smila, MHG. smielen, smieren, L. mirari to wonder at, Skr. smi to smile; and probably to E. smicker. √173. Cf. Admire, Marvel, Smirk.

1. To express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy, or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently.

He doth nothing but frown.... He hears merry tales and smiles not.— William Shakespeare
She smiled to see the doughty hero slain.— Alexander Pope
When last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled.— George Noel Gordon, Ld. Byron

2. To express slight contempt by a look implying sarcasm or pity; to sneer.

'T was what I said to Craggs and Child, Who praised my modesty, and smiled.— Alexander Pope

3. To look gay and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy; as, smiling spring; smiling plenty.

The desert smiled, And paradise was opened in the wild.— Alexander Pope

4. To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; — often with on; as, to smile on one's labors.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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