Smiling is the expression you make when the corners of your mouth turn upward, usually because you're happy, amused, or being friendly. When you smile, the muscles in your face pull your lips into a curve that others instantly recognize as a sign of positive feelings.

Smiling is one of the most universal human expressions. Babies smile before they can talk, and people smile in every culture around the world. A smile can communicate “I'm happy to see you” without saying a word. When you pass someone in the hallway and smile, you're sending a small but meaningful signal of friendliness.

Interestingly, smiling doesn't just show happiness: it can actually help create it. Scientists have found that the physical act of smiling sends signals to your brain that can lift your mood, even if you weren't feeling particularly cheerful beforehand. This works the other way too. When you see someone else smiling, you often feel happier yourself and might smile back without even thinking about it.

There are different kinds of smiles. A genuine smile reaches your eyes, creating little crinkles at the corners. A forced or fake smile involves just the mouth. When someone has a smiling face or a smiling personality, it means they seem cheerful and approachable much of the time.