Meaning

A smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth..

Definitions by Sense

1. A smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth.
2. (intransitive) To smile, parting the lips so as to show the teeth.
3. (transitive) To express by grinning.
4. (intransitive, dated) To show the teeth, like a snarling dog.
5. (transitive) To grin as part of producing a particular facial expression, such as a smile or sneer.
6. (obsolete) A snare; a gin.

Example Sentences

When the ceremony was finished a wide grin broke across his face, and it was that grin she saw, relieved and happy all at once.

When my son appeared at the door the next day with his schoolbag on his back, the Professor broke into a wide grin and opened his arms to embrace him.

Why do you grin? Did I say something funny?

‘No,’ said Luke, grinning at her. ‘You're not dull enough! […] What about the kid's clothes? I don't suppose they were anything to write home about, but didn't you keep anything? A bootee or a bit of embroidery or anything at all?’

She grinned pleasure at his embarrassment.

Grinned horrible a ghastly smile.

"Mid-Lent, and the Enemy grins," remarked Selwyn as he started for church with Nina and the children. Austin, knee-deep in a dozen Sunday supplements, refused to stir; poor little Eileen was now convalescent from grippe, but still unsteady on her legs; her maid had taken the grippe, and now moaned all day: "Mon dieu! Mon dieu! Che fais mourir!"

The pangs of death do make him grin.

Word Forms

• grins
• gren
• grinning
• grinned

Synonyms for grin

Related Words

When Should You Use Grin?

Use grin when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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