grin

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
  2. verb to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl

Etymology

From Middle English grinnen, from Old English grennian, from Proto-West Germanic *grannjōn, from Proto-Germanic *granjōną. Related to groan. Compare to Middle High German grennen (“to mutter, complain”) and Danish grine (“to show one's teeth, to laugh”)

In classic literature

Synonyms

smile, smiling, grinning

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