Grinning
What it means
Showing a broad smile that visibly communicates pleasure or amusement.
Reach for it when describing an openly happy expression rather than assuming a person's inner state
The grinning cyclists crossed the finish line together.
Words to choose between 6
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| formal |
-
playful
all smiles
Fits when informal language fits someone visibly pleased
Careful All smiles generalizes the mood beyond the particular broad grin.
-
everyday
Fits when the facial expression can be described neutrally
Careful Smiling may be slight or polite, while grinning is broad and conspicuous.
-
everyday
smirking
Fits when concealed superiority or mockery is the actual signal
Careful Smirking turns the expression negative and should not describe shared joy.
-
warm
Fits when the whole face shows radiant happiness
Careful Beaming is warmer and less cheeky than many grinning expressions.
-
warm
Fits when a general bright manner matters more than the mouth's shape
Careful Cheerful infers mood beyond one visible expression.
-
formal
Fits when a known cause supports the claim of strong pleasure
Careful Delighted names emotion and may not be visibly expressed.
Opposites 3
- frowning
- scowling
- stone-faced
Common phrases 3
-
grinning face
A grinning face appeared at every window of the returning bus.
-
grinning children
Grinning children carried their model boats toward the pond.
-
stand grinning
The apprentice could only stand grinning beside the machine she had repaired.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated