smile at something—
1. experience amusement with regard to smth. and show it by a smile:
- Nicholas could not refrain from smiling at the abruptness of the question.
2. experience the feeling of amusement or derision with regard to smth. without showing it:
- I secretly smiled at this last prophecy as a “bad shot.”
smile something—express one’s feelings by a smile:
- He smiled his delight and then he and his father walked off, hand in hand.