Is Smiling an Adjective, a Noun, or a Verb? 5 Facts(When & Examples)

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Adjectives, nouns, and verbs are different parts of speech. Let us find out to which category the word “smiling” belong.

“Smiling” is used as an adjective, a noun, and a verb. As a noun, it stands alone as a separate entity. Further, as an adjective, it modifies a noun. In addition, as a verb, it can function as an action word.

Now it is time to delve into the role of the word “smiling” when it functions as an adjective, a noun, and a  verb with the help of relevant facts and examples.

When is “smiling” an adjective?

As we have seen “smiling” can function as an adjective. Let us find out when is “smiling” an adjective.

“Smiling” is considered to be an adjective when it is used to modify a noun . Thus as an adjective, it conveys meanings such as cheerful, happy, pleased, etc.

Example: I want to see your smiling face.

Here, “smiling” is used as an adjective to modify the noun ‘face’. Thus, “smiling” became an adjective when it modified the noun to attribute a meaning to it.

Is “smiling” a descriptive adjective?

There is a type of adjective known as a descriptive adjective which is used to express the quality of the noun. Let us find out if “smiling” is a descriptive adjective.

“Smiling” is a descriptive adjective. It is said to be a descriptive adjective since it qualifies or describes the noun it modifies.

When we can use “smiling” as a descriptive adjective?

We use “smiling” as a descriptive adjective when we want to qualify or describe the nature of a person. Thus it describes the happy or cheerful demeanor of a person .

Here are some examples along with explanations to detail the use of “smiling” as a descriptive adjective.

ExamplesExplanations
1. Look at her smiling faceThe adjective “smiling” qualifies the noun “face”. “Smiling” is a descriptive adjective since it qualifies the face by saying that it is happy.
2. Your smiling lips are a sign of approval.The adjective “smiling” qualifies the noun ‘lips’. “Smiling” is a descriptive adjective since it qualifies the noun ‘lips’ by conveying that the lips express joy.
3. I should say that smiling children make a teacher’s day happy.The adjective “smiling” modifies the noun ‘children’. “Smiling” is a descriptive adjective since it qualifies the noun by conveying that the children are smiling or cheerful.
4. He broke the news looking at the smiling family.The adjective “smiling” modifies the noun ‘family’. “Smiling” is a descriptive adjective since it qualifies the noun by conveying that the family is smiling.
5 . The patient thanked the smiling doctorThe adjective “smiling modifies the noun ‘doctor’.Thus as a descriptive adjective, “smiling” qualify the noun to convey the meaning that the doctor is smiling.
6. Smiling selfies.“Smiling” as a descriptive adjective qualifies or describes the nature of the noun ‘selfies’
7. He felt relieved seeing the faces of his smiling colleagues.“Smiling” as a descriptive adjective qualifies or describes the noun ‘colleagues’.Thus it conveys the meaning that the faces of colleagues seemed smiling.
Examples of “smiling” as a descriptive adjective

Is smiling” a noun?

Noun is an important part of speech. It has the capacity to stand alone to denote a quality or an idea. Let us check if “smiling” is a noun.

The word “smiling” is used as a noun in certain scenarios. It is said to be a noun since it can stand as a separate entity to represent a quality called ‘smile’

When we can use “smiling” as a noun?

We can use “smiling” as a noun. We use it as a noun to represent quality. The quality it talks about is someone’s ability to smile.

Here are some examples related to the usage of “smiling” as a noun.

ExamplesExplanations
1. Smiling is good for health“Smiling” as a noun is capable of standing as a separate entity to convey the meaning. Thus, as a noun, it conveys that smiling is good for health.
2. Smiling is a warm gesture.“Smiling” as a noun is capable of standing as a separate entity to convey the meaning. Thus, as a noun, it conveys the meaning that smiling is a warm gesture.
3. Smiling is a good attribute.“Smiling” as a noun is capable of standing as a separate entity to convey the meaning. Thus, as a noun, it conveys that smiling is a good attribute.
4. Smiling is preferable to being cold.“Smiling” as a noun is capable of standing as a separate entity to convey the meaning. Thus, as a noun, it conveys that smiling is preferable to being cold.
5. It says that smiling takes only a few minutes to break the ice between two strangers.“Smiling” as a noun is capable of standing as a separate entity to convey the meaning. Here, as a noun, it conveys the meaning that the power of smiling in breaking the ice between two strangers.
Examples of “smiling” as a noun

Is “smiling” a verb?

“Smiling” as a word falls under different categories. Verbs are used to indicate an action. They are action words. Let us find out if “smiling” falls under the category of verbs.

The word “smiling” can act as a verb. As a verb, it functions as an action word to indicate the act of smiling.

When we can use “smiling” as a verb?

“Smiling” is used as a verb when we want to convey an action .As verb, it says that someone is looking happy or a smile has appeared on someone’s face.

The below examples explain the concept comprehensively.

ExamplesExplanations
1. He was smiling at our jokes.Here “smiling” functions as a verb to say that a smile appeared on his face. Thus the action of smiling is conveyed.
2. She was smiling throughout the conversation.Here “smiling” functions as a verb to say that a smile appeared on her face. Thus the action of smiling is conveyed.
3. She is smiling to make us happy.Here “smiling” functions as a verb to say that a smile appears on her face. Thus the action of smiling is conveyed.
4. Alex was smiling when I told him the truth.Here “smiling” functions as a verb to say that a smile has appeared on Alex’s face. Thus the action of smiling is conveyed.
5. They were smiling while receiving the gifts.Here “smiling” functions as a verb to say that a smile appeared on their face while receiving the gifts. Thus the action of smiling is conveyed.
 Examples of “smiling” as a verb

Conclusion:

“Smiling” as a word means a state of being cheerful or radiant. As per its usage in a sentence, we can categorize it as an adjective, a noun, and a verb.  

Read more about the following: Adjective, Noun or Verb

Upset
Open
Sleepy
Brave		Super
Shiny
Fair
Poor		Worried
Long
Excited		Scary
Fancy
Funny		Tense
Pleasant
Enthusiastic		Shy
Sleepy
Hungry