grin

Examples

• All

• Why does she have a really smug grin on her face?

• His blank look was followed by a sheepish grin as it suddenly occurred to him.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Had this big grin on his face...

  Hearts of the West (1975)

• My mom had a small grin when she realized someone else had finally seen him.

• Always with a grin, as if it were a joke.

  Oldboy (2013)

• It's Earl, giving her a big Cheshire cat grin that says, "What did I tell you?"

  Fiction book (1990)

• "It's me," he said with a grin as he poked his head inside the door.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Tonight he followed her reasoning with a grin and nodded when she finished.

  Fiction book (1990)

• His eyebrows raised, and a small grin curled one corner of his mouth.

  Fiction book (1990)

• He walked into the room with a huge grin, showing everyone he was excited.

Synonyms

S

smile

vsgrin

∞ 1.0

A facial expression with the mouth corners turned up to show happiness or friendliness

is a particular wide form of that upward mouth expression

B

big smile

vsgrin

47 1.0

A wide friendly movement of the mouth that shows happiness

is similar but emphasizes broadness and often amusement rather than friendliness

G

grinning

vsgrin

5 1.0

A wide smile that shows someone is happy or enjoying something

is the same broad mouth expression usually showing pleasure or amusement

W

warm smile

vsgrin

4 1.0

A friendly expression on the face that shows real kindness

leans more toward showing amusement or pleasure rather than friendly warmth

S

smiling

vsgrin

1 1.0

A facial expression with the mouth corners turned up to show happiness or friendliness

is the more specific broad mouth expression often showing amusement

M

mahoosive grin

vsgrin

• Slang

8.9

A very large, wide smile that shows great happiness

is a broad mouth expression but usually less extreme in size

M

merry smile

vsgrin

1.1

A happy look on someone's face that shows joy

usually shows amusement or pleasure without stressing cheerfulness

T

twinkly-eyed smile

vsgrin

5.6

A warm happy expression with bright lively eyes

focuses on a broad mouth expression without emphasizing the eyes

I

incandescent smile

vsgrin

• Literature

6.5

A bright warm look on someone's face that lights a room

is a broad mouth expression that does not necessarily look radiant

E

effulgent smile

vsgrin

• Literature

8.7

A very bright smile that shows great happiness

is primarily a broad mouth expression showing pleasure or amusement

Antonyms

F

frown

54 1.0

A facial expression with the eyebrows pushed together showing dislike or worry

S

scowl

15 3.9

An angry look that shows you do not like something

Idioms

G

to grin and bear it

• Informal

5 6.8

To accept an unpleasant situation without complaining

G

to grin like the cat that ate the canary

• Informal

8.8

To smile in a proud, secret way because you feel pleased with yourself

S

skin and grin

• Informal

9.6

A friendly person who shows a big warm smile

Compounds

S

shit-eating grin

• Offensive

3 9.9

A smug, annoying smile that shows someone is pleased with themselves

C

coprophagous grin

• Literature

9.9

A twisted smile that shows cruel, dark pleasure

D

dappy grin

• UK

9.5

A silly smile that makes someone look foolish

F

fangful grin

8.8

A smile that shows teeth and looks like an animal ready to attack

M

mahoosive grin

• Slang

8.9

A very large, wide smile that shows great happiness

G

grip-and-grin

• Literature

9.1

A social event where people shake hands and pose for photos

S

sidey grin

• Informal

8.9

A sly smile that shows someone knows a secret or wants to tease

T

twatfaced grin

• Offensive

9.9

A smile that looks rude and makes people feel annoyed

How Happy

grin

139 1.0

smile

∞ 1.0

frown

54 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology