smiley

¹

[ smahy-lee ]

noun

, plural smil·eys.

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

A large smiley face scratched into a nearby rock survived unscathed.

From Slate

Born and raised in North Las Vegas, Cristian, a Latino ex-car-mechanic with a cross around his neck, summarized his recent life and times for me in a smiley, “so it goes” tone: A few years ago, the pandemic lockdowns shut down the Valley and completely cleared the cities of their crowds, he said—but business was coming back, the population was growing again, and prices were going up.

From Slate

Indeed, many fans remember him as a smiley singer of feel-good tunes – a far cry from the horrifically dark image painted of his final moments.

From BBC

In 2020, a Singaporean activist who had long campaigned for freedom of speech was arrested for posing with a placard of a smiley face.

From BBC

"I've just had to sit down. I keep re-reading his name thinking everyone's got it wrong. Not this man, not this beautiful, smiley, talented man," she posted on X.

From BBC