/ smaɪl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] smile (at sb/sth) to make a smile appear on your face :
to smile sweetly / faintly / broadly, etc.
She smiled at him and he smiled back .
He smiled with relief.
He never seems to smile.
I had to smile at (= was amused by) his optimism.
2.
to say or express sth with a smile :
[ vn ]
She smiled her thanks.
[ v speech ]
'Perfect,' he smiled.
3.
[ vn ] [ no passive ] to give a smile of a particular type :
to smile a small smile
She smiled a smile of dry amusement.
•
IDIOMS
see ear
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- smile on sb/sth
■ noun
the expression that you have on your face when you are happy, amused, etc. in which the corners of your mouth turn upwards :
'Oh, hello,' he said, with a smile .
She gave a wry smile .
He had a big smile on his face.
I'm going to wipe that smile off your face (= make you stop thinking this is funny) .
•
IDIOMS
- all smiles
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : perhaps of Scandinavian origin; related to smirk .