English Explanatory Dictionary

grin like a Cheshire cat

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way.

Pronunciation

en-au-grin like a Cheshire cat.ogg

Word forms

grin like a Cheshire cat grins like a Cheshire cat grinning like a Cheshire cat grinned like a Cheshire cat

Etymology

Attested since at least the 1780s. The reason why Cheshire was combined with cat is disputed: see here for more information.

Synonyms

smile from ear to ear
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on G Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary