The difference between Laugh and Smile

When used as nouns, laugh means an expression of mirth particular to the human species, whereas smile means a facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement or anxiety.

When used as verbs, laugh means to show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat, whereas smile means to have (a smile) on one's face.

check bellow for the other definitions of Laugh and Smile

  1. Laugh as a noun:

    An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.

  2. Laugh as a noun:

    Something that provokes mirth or scorn.

  3. Laugh as a noun (UK, NZ):

    A fun person.

  1. Laugh as a verb (intransitive):

    To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.

  2. Laugh as a verb (intransitive, obsolete, figuratively):

    To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.

  3. Laugh as a verb (intransitive, followed by "at"):

    To make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride; to mock.

  4. Laugh as a verb (transitive):

    To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.

  5. Laugh as a verb (transitive):

    To express by, or utter with, laughter.

  1. Smile as a noun:

    A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement or anxiety.

    Examples:

    "She's got a perfect smile.  He has a sinister smile.  She had a smile on her face.  He always puts a smile on my face."

  1. Smile as a verb (ambitransitive):

    To have (a smile) on one's face.

    Examples:

    "When you smile, the whole world smiles with you. I don't know what he's smiling about. She smiles a beautiful smile."

  2. Smile as a verb (transitive):

    To express by smiling.

    Examples:

    "to smile consent, or a welcome"

  3. Smile as a verb (intransitive):

    To express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness.

  4. Smile as a verb (intransitive):

    To look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy.

    Examples:

    "The sun smiled down from a clear summer sky."

  5. Smile as a verb (intransitive):

    To be propitious or favourable; to countenance.

    Examples:

    "The gods smiled on his labours."

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