smile at someone

Meaning

This expression means to look at someone and make a happy facial expression by turning up the corners of your mouth. It is a universal way to show friendliness, kindness, or recognition. It is always used with the preposition 'at'.

Examples

• The baby started to smile at everyone in the room.

  The baby started to smile at everyone in the room.

• She always smiles at her customers to make them feel welcome.

  She always smiles at her customers to make them feel welcome.

• He didn't say anything, he just smiled at me.

  He didn't say anything, he just smiled at me.

• It feels nice when a stranger smiles at you on the street.

  It feels nice when a stranger smiles at you on the street.

• I saw him smile at his sister when she won the game.

  I saw him smile at his sister when she won the game.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She smiled to me when I walked in.

  ✓ She smiled at me when I walked in.

  In English, we always smile 'at' someone, not 'to' someone.

• ✗ He smiled on his friend.

  ✓ He smiled at his friend.

  'Smile on' is an old-fashioned or poetic phrase meaning to show favor. For a physical facial expression, use 'smile at'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is polite to ___ the receptionist when you arrive.

  💡 make a happy facial expression towards

  Show answer

  smile at

• Why did you ___ him like that? Do you know him?

  💡 direct a happy face towards him

  Show answer

  smile at