Smiley Meaning

/ˈsmaɪli/
A1

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

adjCheerful and happy; smiling.

adjHaving one's throat slit from side to side.

I wonder how I can distinguish a coldly smiling smiley from an honestly smiling one.
How are you smiley.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The child drew a yellow ____ face on the paper.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He ended his text message with a yellow ____ face to show that he was only joking.

From smile + -y (adjectival suffix). The noun is from the adjective, after smiley face.

"Smiley/Scrumper and Frowny Smiley and scrumper are both names for a piercing of the upper frenulum that attaches the center of the lip to the gums." — [2011, Elayne Angel, The Piercing Bible: The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing, Crossing Press, →ISBN, page 118:
"At a press conference on Sunday, the mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley, was asked what could be done to stop the "uniquely American experience" of mass shootings on campuses." — 2025 December 14, Nada Tawfik, Pratiksha Ghildial, “'Everyone says it'll never be me' - Brown University student on surviving two mass shootings”, in BBC:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The child drew a yellow ____ face on the paper.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He ended his text message with a yellow ____ face to show that he was only joking.

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