# smile

/ˈsmaɪɫ/ (US) · /smˈaɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smile
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. facial expression

noun · CEFR A1

the expression you make by turning up the corners of your mouth to show you are happy or friendly.

For teachers: a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles at the ends of the mouth, typically indicating pleasure, amusement, or sociability.

- She had a big smile on her face when she saw her old friend.
- A faint smile played across his lips as he recalled the humorous events of the previous evening.

### 2. to make a smile

verb · CEFR A1

to move the corners of your mouth upwards because you are happy or think something is funny.

For teachers: to form a smile on the face; used both intransitively and transitively to express a specific emotion.

- The baby smiled at his mother for the first time today.
- The receptionist smiled warmly at the guests, immediately putting them at ease after their long journey.

### 3. to be favourable

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to be lucky or to have things go well for you.

For teachers: to be propitious or favourable toward someone; often used with 'on' or 'upon'.

- Fortune finally smiled on him, and he won the competition.
- It seemed as though fate had smiled upon their venture, providing perfect weather and unexpected financial backing just when it was needed most.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

## Examples

- She has a beautiful smile.
- The receptionist greeted every visitor with a warm smile and a helpful attitude.
- A faint, enigmatic smile played across her lips as she watched the children playing in the garden, suggesting she knew a secret they did not.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.