smiley

[ smahy-lee ]
/ ˈsmaɪ li /

noun, plural smil·eys. Also called smiley face.

a digital icon, a sequence of keyboard symbols, or a handwritten or printed equivalent, that serves to represent a facial expression, as :‐) for a smiling face or ;‐) for a winking face. Compare emoticon.
Usually smile face. a drawing of a face consisting of a usually yellow circle with an upturned curve for a smile and two dots for eyes.

adjective

cheerful; smiling.

Origin of smiley

1985–90

Words nearby smiley

British Dictionary definitions for smiley face

smiley
/ (ˈsmaɪlɪ) /

adjective

given to smiling; cheerful
depicting a smile a smiley badge

noun

any of a group of symbols depicting a smile, or other facial expression, used in electronic mail