Definition of smile verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

smile

verb

/smaɪl/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they smile	/smaɪl/ /smaɪl/
he / she / it smiles	/smaɪlz/ /smaɪlz/
past simple smiled	/smaɪld/ /smaɪld/
past participle smiled	/smaɪld/ /smaɪld/
-ing form smiling	/ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/ /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

jump to other results

[intransitive] to make a smile appear on your face
- to smile slightly/broadly
- to smile sweetly/warmly/brightly
- to smile weakly/faintly/softly/sadly
- He never seems to smile.
- ‘That's easy,’ Elizabeth said, smiling.
- Looking up from my book, I saw Monica's smiling face.
- He smiled to think how naive he used to be.
- smile at somebody/something She smiled at him and he smiled back.
- She smiled at the thought of finally being able to see him again.
- I had to smile at (= was amused by) his optimism.
- Her eyes smiled up at him.
- smile with/in something He smiled with relief.
- She smiled in satisfaction.
Extra Examples
- Gary is always smiling—he's so positive.
- He looked at the mess and smiled weakly.
- The memory still made her smile.
- She smiled with pleasure.
- The doctor smiled reassuringly.
- Lawrence nodded, smiling happily.
- Molly smiled rather wryly and said nothing.
- She smiled to herself, picturing how surprised her mother would be to see her.
- She smiled up at him.
Topics Feelingsa2, Appearancea2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- broadly
- widely
- faintly
- …
verb + smile
- try to
- manage to
- make somebody
- …
preposition
- at
- with
phrases
- smile down at somebody
- smile up at somebody
- smile from ear to ear
- …
See full entry
Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
[transitive] to say or express something with a smile
- smile something She smiled her thanks.
- + speech ‘Perfect,’ he smiled.
[transitive, no passive] smile something to give a smile of a particular type
- to smile a small smile
- She smiled a smile of dry amusement.