Definition

Noun: 1. A simple representation of a smiling human face: A "smiley" is a stylized, typically yellow, circular graphic depicting a smiling face, used to express happiness or friendliness in digital communication. 2. An emoticon of a smiling face: The term can also refer to the basic textual emoticon formed using punctuation marks, such as :) or :-), which represents a smiling face.

Usage

• The smiley is one of the most universally recognized symbols in online chat and text messaging.
• You can add a smiley to the end of your message to show you are joking or to convey a positive tone.
• The classic yellow smiley face was popularized in the 1960s before becoming a digital icon.

Examples

• "Her email was full of smileys, which made it feel very warm and friendly."
• "I always end my texts to my grandmother with a smiley so she knows I'm happy."
• "The original smiley emoticon was created using a colon, a hyphen, and a parenthesis :‑)."

Advanced Usage

• "Smiley face": This is a common two-word variant used to specify the graphic or symbol explicitly.
  • He drew a simple smiley face on the note.
• The concept has evolved into a vast array of emojis, which are more detailed and standardized pictorial representations of emotions, objects, and ideas.

Variants and Related Words

• Smiley (adjective, informal): Having or showing a smile; cheerful in appearance.
  • He had a smiley demeanor that put everyone at ease. (Note: This adjectival use is less common than the noun form).
• Emoticon: A broader term for a facial expression pictorially represented by punctuation marks and letters.
• Emoji: A small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication, which has largely superseded the simple text-based smiley.
• Frowny: An emoticon or graphic representing a sad or frowning face (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Happy face
• Smiling face
• Grinning face (often used for specific emoji variants)

Related Idioms or Phrases

• "Turn that frown upside down": This is a common saying encouraging someone to smile. While it doesn't contain the word "smiley," it directly relates to the action of creating a smile.
  • Cheer up! Turn that frown upside down!

Noun

1. an emoticon of a smiling face