grin
/ɡɹɪn/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.59 in modern English
5
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To grin as part of producing a particular facial expression, such as a smile or sneer.
Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "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."
- "Why do you grin? Did I say something funny?"
- "‘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?’"
- "She grinned pleasure at his embarrassment."
- "Grinned horrible a ghastly smile."
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”)
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: grinnen, grennian, *grannjōn, *granjōną, grin, *garni