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View synonyms for

grin

1

[ grin ]

verb (used without object)

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

    Synonyms: , , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  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

/ ɡɪ /

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. grin and bear it informal.
    to suffer trouble or hardship without complaint
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a broad smile
  2. a snarl or grimace
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈԲԾԲ, adjectivenoun
  • ˈԲԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • n noun
  • nԲ· adverb
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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
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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
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Synonym Study

See laugh.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Serving as GM of a Division I athletics program involves more than glad-handing and bringing in talent via grins and a magnetic personality.

From

Striding out to complete pre-match media duties, there was a glint and a grin from the 57-year-old who has dealt with the Hollywood hoopla and determinedly delivered three times over.

From

He got the biggest grin on his face, sticks his finger in the air and goes, “I smell money.”

From

Bird was grinning at Terry, the smile remaining fixed as he raised a shotgun and fired straight at his friend's face.

From

“The classic wide-angle view!” he says with a grin, proudly showing off the stream of Becca’s decaying cadaver glowing from his phone screen.

From

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grimygrin and bear it