Grin Meaning
/ɡɹɪn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth.
verbTo smile, parting the lips so as to show the teeth.
Sentence Examples
He gave his sudden, goblin like grin.
And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility.
The more I spoke, the wider her grin became.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
He will ____ with joy when he sees the surprise party.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He had a mischievous ____ on his face as he played a harmless prank on his unsuspecting younger sister.
Word Origin & History
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”)
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 1997, Linda Howard, Son of the Morning, Simon & Schuster, page 364:
"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."
— 2003, Yoko Ogawa, The Housekeeper and the Professor:
"‘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?’"
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 15, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"Grinned horrible a ghastly smile."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
""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!""
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IV, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He will ____ with joy when he sees the surprise party.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He had a mischievous ____ on his face as he played a harmless prank on his unsuspecting younger sister.