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grin

 - 4 dictionary results

grin

1  [grin] verb, grinned, grin⋅ning, noun
Use grin in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to smile broadly, esp. as an indication of pleasure, amusement, or the like.
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)
4. to express or produce by grinning: The little boy grinned his approval of the gift.
–noun
5. a broad smile.
6. the act of producing a broad smile.
7. the act of withdrawing the lips and showing the teeth, as in anger or pain.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME grinnen, grennen, OE grennian; c. OHG grennan to mutter

Related forms:
grinner, noun
grin⋅ning⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. See laugh.

grin

2  [grin] noun, verb, grinned, grin⋅ning.
–noun
1. Chiefly Scot. a snare like a running noose.
–verb (used with object)
2. to catch in a nooselike snare.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME grin(e), OE grin, gryn
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To grin
grin   (grĭn)   
v.   grinned, grin·ning, grins

v.   intr.
To smile broadly, often baring the teeth, as in amusement, glee, embarrassment, or other strong emotion.
v.   tr.
To express with a grin: I grinned my approval.
n.  

  1. The act of grinning.

  2. The facial expression produced by grinning.


[Middle English grennen, to grimace, from Old English grennian.]
grin'ner n., grin'ning·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

grin 
O.E. grennian "show the teeth" (in pain or anger), common Gmc. (cf. O.N. grenja "to howl," grina "to grin;" Du. grienen "to whine;" Ger. greinen "to cry"), from PIE base *ghrei- "be open." Sense of "bare the teeth in a broad smile" is c.1480, perhaps via the notion of "forced or unnatural smile." the noun is first attested 1635.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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