smiley

¹

[ smahy-lee ]

noun

plural smileys.

1. a digital icon, a sequence of keyboard symbols, or a handwritten or printed equivalent, that serves to represent a facial expression, as :‐) for a smiling face or ;‐) for a winking face. Compare emoticon.
2. Usually smile face. a drawing of a face consisting of a usually yellow circle with an upturned curve for a smile and two dots for eyes.

adjective

1. cheerful; smiling.

Smiley

²

[ smahy-lee ]

noun

1. Jane, born 1949, U.S. novelist.

smiley

/ ˈsmaɪlɪ /

adjective

1. given to smiling; cheerful
2. depicting a smile

   a smiley badge

noun

1. any of a group of symbols depicting a smile, or other facial expression, used in electronic mail

Word History and Origins

Origin of smiley¹

1985–90

Example Sentences

"I'm more bubbly of a person. I wasn't as smiley or as happy but she's helped me come out of my shell," she said.

From BBC

Key to the smiley face game Henry is playing is where that face appears on the iPad screen.

From BBC

The youngest was wearing a badge with a smiley picture of Nasrallah.

From BBC

Conversations between the co-defendants on social media showed they had sent emoticons depicting a smiley face and hearts to each other.

From BBC

Since losing weight, "people are a lot more smiley and just make eye contact," she says.

From BBC