grin

¹

[grin]

verb (used without object)

grinned, grinning 

1. to smile broadly, especially as an indication of pleasure, amusement, or the like.

   Synonyms: crack a smile, smirk, smile, beam
   Antonyms: glare, frown

2. to draw back the lips so as to show the teeth, as a snarling dog or a person in pain.

3. to show or be exposed through an opening, crevice, etc.

verb (used with object)

grinned, grinning 

1. to express or produce by grinning.

   The little boy grinned his approval of the gift.

noun

1. a broad smile.

2. the act of producing a broad smile.

3. the act of withdrawing the lips and showing the teeth, as in anger or pain.

grin

²

[grin]

noun

1. Chiefly Scot.,  a snare like a running noose.

verb (used with object)

grinned, grinning 

1. Archaic.,  to catch in a nooselike snare.

grin

/ ɡrɪn /

verb

1. to smile with the lips drawn back revealing the teeth or express (something) by such a smile

   to grin a welcome

2. (intr) to draw back the lips revealing the teeth, as in a snarl or grimace

3. informal,  to suffer trouble or hardship without complaint

noun

1. a broad smile

2. a snarl or grimace

Other Word Forms

• grinning adjective
• grinner noun
• grinningly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of grin¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English grinnen, grennen, Old English grennian; cognate with Old High German grennan “to mutter”

Origin of grin²

First recorded before 900; Middle English grin(e), grinne, Old English grin, gryn

Word History and Origins

Origin of grin¹

Old English grennian; related to Old High German grennen to snarl, Old Norse grenja to howl; see _grunt

Synonym Study

See laugh.

Example Sentences

Breaking his fall with two hands on the turf, cuffs of his baggy blue keeper's jersey halfway up his forearms and long black curls flowing behind him, Higuita immediately burst into his iconic grin.

From BBC

He adds, grinning, “Even Maggie’s cane didn’t hit too many people.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Preparation for this was crazy. I'm not going tell you before it," he said with a knowing grin.

From BBC

She tipped the meat around the pan until it caught just enough color, then turned to the camera with a conspiratorial grin.

From Salon

Photos of museumgoers standing and grinning beneath it litter social media.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• smirk