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Glite Dictionary
wee smile

wee smile

6.5
A small, quiet mouth movement that shows a little happiness
  • noun
translation icon : sonrisa pequeña
  • When she saw the puppy, a wee smile spread across her face.

Examples

  • He greeted her with a wee smile that made her day brighter.

  • The child gave his mother a wee smile after finishing his drawing.

  • Shall I wrap a wee smile in it... for you to keep while I'm away?

    A Shine of Rainbows (2009)

Synonyms

smile
vswee smile
∞ 1.0

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

is a smaller facial expression focused on slightness rather than broad emotion
to give a little smile
vswee smile
3.0

A small gentle smile that shows quiet happiness or approval

is a small and slight facial expression focused on size rather than intention

Antonyms

frown
54 1.0

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

scowl
15 3.9

An angry look that shows you do not like something

How Big

big smile
47 1.0
grin
139 1.0
smile
∞ 1.0
wee smile
6.5

Surface Forms

wee smile singular
wee smiles plural

Morphology

wee + smile

The meaning 'a small or slight smile' is directly and compositionally derived from 'wee' (tiny) + 'smile' (facial expression), following a standard adjective + noun pattern. A B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the meaning, although 'wee' is regionally marked (British/Scottish) and informal.

Etymology

The phrase wee smile comes from Scottish English where wee means 'small'. Picture a tiny smile at the corner of someone's mouth, and that's why it means 'a small or slight smile'.