n.
Pronunciation: ' sm ī (- ə )l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: smiled ; smil · ing
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Old English smerian to laugh, Sanskrit smayate he smiles
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 : to have, produce, or exhibit a smile
2 a : to look or regard with amusement or ridicule < smiled at his own folly ― Martin Gardner> b : to bestow approval <feeling that Heaven smiled on his labors ― Sheila Rowlands> c : to appear pleasant or agreeable
transitive verb
1 : to affect with or by smiling
2 : to express by a smile
– smil · er noun
– smil · ing · ly \ ' sm ī -li ŋ -l ē \ adverb