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REFERENCE

grin

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɹɪn// UK //ɡɹˈɪn// grin
  1. 1 a wide smile (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a big, wide smile that shows your teeth.

    a facial expression characterized by a broad smile that reveals the teeth.

    Example

    He had a huge grin on his face after winning the race.

    Example

    A mischievous grin spread across her face as she realized her prank had worked perfectly.
  2. 2 to smile widely (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to smile a big, wide smile that shows your teeth.

    to smile broadly, typically exposing the teeth in an expression of amusement or pleasure.

    Example

    The children were grinning from ear to ear when they saw the cake.

    Example

    The professor grinned at the student's clever observation, clearly impressed by the depth of the analysis.
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  1. 3 to express by grinning (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to show a feeling, like happiness or agreement, by smiling widely.

    to express or communicate a specific emotion or state of mind through the act of grinning.

    Example

    He grinned his approval when I suggested going for pizza.

    Example

    She simply grinned her delight, unable to find the words to describe how much the surprise meant to her.
Etymology 1

From Middle English grinnen, from Old English grennian, from Proto-West Germanic grannjōn, from Proto-Germanic granjōną. Related to groan. Compare to Middle High German grennen (“to mutter, complain”) and Danish grine (“to show one's teeth, to laugh”)

Etymology 2

From Middle English grin, grinne, grine, from Old English grin (“snare, noose”), of uncertain origin, but probably from the merger of Proto-West Germanic garni and garnī (“intestine”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic garniz, garnō (“guts, intestine”). Related to English yarn.

Idioms3 entries

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