smile

verb

/smaɪl/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they smile	/smaɪl/ /smaɪl/
he / she / it smiles	/smaɪlz/ /smaɪlz/
past simple smiled	/smaɪld/ /smaɪld/
past participle smiled	/smaɪld/ /smaɪld/
-ing form smiling	/ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/ /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

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[intransitive] to make a smile appear on your face
- to smile slightly/broadly
- to smile sweetly/warmly/brightly
- to smile weakly/faintlysoftly/sadly
- He never seems to smile.
- 'That's easy,' Elizabeth said, smiling.
- Looking up from my book, I saw Monica's smiling face.
- He smiled to think how naive he used to be.
- smile at somebody/something She smiled at him and he smiled back.
- She smiled at the thought of finally being able to see him again.
- I had to smile at (= was amused by) his optimism.
- Her eyes smiled up at him.
- smile with/in something He smiled with relief.
- She smiled in satisfaction.
Extra Examples
- Gary is always smiling—he's so positive.
- He looked at the mess and smiled weakly.
- The memory still made her smile.
- She smiled with pleasure.
- The doctor smiled reassuringly.
- Lawrence nodded, smiling happily.
- Molly smiled rather wryly and said nothing.
- She smiled to herself, picturing how surprised her mother would be to see her.
- She smiled up at him.
Topics Feelingsa2, Appearancea2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- broadly
- widely
- faintly
- …
verb + smile
- try to
- manage to
- make somebody
- …
preposition
- at
- with
phrases
- smile down at somebody
- smile up at somebody
- smile from ear to ear
- …
See full entry
[transitive] to say or express something with a smile
- smile something She smiled her thanks.
- + speech ‘Perfect,’ he smiled.
[transitive, no passive] smile something to give a smile of a particular type
- to smile a small smile
- She smiled a smile of dry amusement.

Word OriginMiddle English: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; related to smirk.

Idioms

smile/grin/beam from ear to ear

to be smiling, etc. a lot because you are very pleased about something
- He was beaming from ear to ear.
Topics Feelingsc2

smile

noun

/smaɪl/

Idioms

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the expression that you have on your face when you are happy or you think something is funny, in which the corners of your mouth turn upwards
- a broad/warm/bright/slight smile
- with a smile Oh, hello,’ he said, with a smile.
- 'Well, that's life,' she said with a wry smile.
- He greeted me with a big smile.
- He gave a weak smile as she approached.
- He had a huge smile on his face.
- The thought brought a smile to her face.
- Here's a story that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
- I'm going to wipe that smile off your face (= make you stop thinking this is funny).
- Her face broke into a smile.
- Her welcoming smile at the sight of him was a good sign.
- He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.
Extra Examples
- A faint smile flickered across her face.
- A trace of a smile played across her lips.
- He could hardly keep the smile off his face (= stop himself smiling).
- He flashed her a disarming smile.
- He had a goofy smile plastered across his face.
- Her antics brought a smile to my face.
- Her father forced a smile.
- Her sunny smile vanished as she read the letter.
- His face creased into a smile.
- His face was wreathed in smiles.
- His smile faltered slightly.
- It is a beautiful song that puts a smile on your face.
- Mention of this subject is guaranteed to raise a smile.
- She always has a smile on her face.
- She got up immediately, a smile lighting up her face.
- She had a keen wit and a ready smile.
- She managed a weak smile.
- She returned his smile.
- She suppressed a mirthless smile.
- They had to hide their smiles.
Topics Feelingsa2, Appearancea2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- big
- bright
- broad
- …
… of a smile
- glimmer
- hint
- trace
- …
verb + smile
- have
- wear
- crack
- …
smile + verb
- fade
- freeze
- vanish
- …
preposition
- with a smile
- smile of
phrases
- have a smile on your face
- bring a smile to somebody’s face
- put a smile on somebody’s face
- …
See full entry
Word OriginMiddle English: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; related to smirk.

Idioms

all smiles

looking very happy, especially soon after you have been looking worried or sad
- Twelve hours later she was all smiles again.

wipe the grin/smile off your face

(especially in orders) to stop smiling, especially because somebody else is annoyed and does not think the situation is funny
- Wipe that grin off your face and get back to work.
- Wipe that stupid smile off your face.

wipe the smile/grin off your face

(especially in orders) to stop smiling, especially because somebody else is annoyed does not think the situation is funny
- Wipe that smile off your face and get back to work.