smile

Etymology

From Middle English smilen (“to smile”), from Old Norse *smíla (“to smile”), from Proto-Germanic *smīlijaną, *smirōną (“to smile”), from Proto-Indo-European *smey- (“to laugh, be glad, wonder”). Cognate with Danish smile, Swedish smila, Faroese smíla (“to smile”); also Saterland Frisian smielje (“to smile”), Low German smielen (“to smile”), Dutch smuilen (“to smile”), Middle High German smielen (“to smile”). Related also to Old High German smierōn (“to smile”), Old English smerian (“to laugh at”), Old English smercian, smearcian ("to smile"; > English smirk), Latin miror (“to wonder at”).

noun

1. A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement, goodwill, or anxiety.
   She's got a perfect smile.
   He has a sinister smile.
   She had a smile on her face.
   He always puts a smile on my face.
2. (figurative) Favour; propitious regard.
   the smile of the gods
3. (slang, dated) A drink bought by one person for another.

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To have (a smile) on one's face.
   When you smile, the whole world smiles with you.
   I don't know what he's smiling about.
   She smiles a beautiful smile.
   Once I was a young man / And all I thought I had to do was smile 1969, Mike d'Abo (lyrics and music), “Handbags & Gladrags”, performed by Rod Stewart
   If a man smiles all the time he's probably selling something that doesn't work. 1997, George Carlin, Brain Droppings, New York: Hyperion Books, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 70
   She adds: "We have two mottos at Kingston which we've stuck to the window in the ticket office. One says 'If you can be anything in the world then be kind', while the other reads: 'Smile while you've still got teeth'. December 18 2019, Paul Stephen, “This is the best job I've ever had”, in Rail, page 52
2. (transitive) To express by smiling.
   to smile consent, or a welcome
3. (intransitive) To express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness.
4. (intransitive) To look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy.
   The sun smiled down from a clear summer sky.
5. (intransitive) To be propitious or favourable; to countenance.
   The gods smiled on his labours.