Grin: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：a wide smile showing teeth (grin)

grin 🔊

/ɡrɪn/

v./n.

To smile widely showing your teeth, often because you're happy or friendly.

Illustration of a person's joyful grin showing teeth, explaining the facial expression

a wide smile showing teeth 🔊

➕

/ə waɪd smaɪl ˈʃoʊɪŋ tiθ/

v./n.

A facial expression where the mouth is opened wide and the corners are drawn back, clearly exposing the teeth, typically expressing happiness, amusement, or friendliness.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'grinnian' meaning to show the teeth, snarl.

💡 Mnemonic

GrIN like you wIN! Imagine the 'I' in 'grin' is your happy, smiling teeth.

📖 Example

The little boy couldn't stop grinning after he saw the birthday presents. 🔊 The little boy couldn't stop displaying a wide, happy smile after he saw the birthday presents.

🔗 Collocations

grin from ear to ear – to smile very broadly and happily

broad grin – a very wide smile

cheeky grin – a playful, mischievous smile

🔄 Synonyms

smile (v./n.) – To form one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up.

beam (v.) – To smile radiantly or with great happiness.

smirk (v./n.) – To smile in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way.

🚫 Antonyms

frown (v./n.) – To furrow one's brow in an expression of disapproval, displeasure, or concentration.

scowl (v./n.) – To make an angry or bad-tempered facial expression with the brow furrowed.

🌱 Derivatives

grinner (n.) – A person who grins often or characteristically.

grinningly (adv.) – In a grinning manner.

grinning (adj./n.) – The action or instance of smiling widely.

📖 Cultural Story

Derives from Old English 'grinnian'. Initially, it could indicate a grimace or snarl of pain or anger. Its semantic shift to denote a broad, happy smile is a later development. The 'Cheshire Cat' from Alice in Wonderland popularized the mysterious, lingering 'grin'.