# smiley

/ˈsmaɪɫi/ (US) · /smˈaɪli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smiley
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. digital icon

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal

a small picture or a set of keyboard symbols that shows a smiling face in a message.

For teachers: a graphical icon or a sequence of keyboard characters used in digital communication to represent a smiling face.

- He added a yellow smiley at the end of his text to show he was joking.
- The early internet was dominated by text-based smileys before the colourful emoji sets we use today became standardised.

### 2. cheerful

adjective · CEFR B1

having a happy face or smiling a lot.

For teachers: characterised by a cheerful disposition or the frequent act of smiling.

- The new teacher is very smiley and makes the students feel welcome.
- Despite the long hours and difficult conditions, the staff remained remarkably smiley and attentive to the guests' needs.

### 3. sheep's head dish

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a traditional South African dish made from a roasted sheep's head.

For teachers: a traditional South African culinary preparation consisting of a roasted sheep's head.

- While visiting Cape Town, he tried a smiley at a local street market.
- The dish is colloquially known as a smiley because the heat of the oven causes the sheep's lips to pull back, revealing its teeth.

Usage: Common in South African English; usually refers to street food.

## Examples

- She sent me a smiley after I told the joke.
- I usually add a smiley to my text messages so people know I am being friendly and not serious.
- While early digital communication relied on text-based emoticons, the modern smiley has evolved into a diverse range of colorful icons that can express subtle shifts in tone and intent.

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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.