Smiling
What it means
Showing warmth or happiness with a smile.
Reach for it when describing a face or person visibly expressing warmth, pleasure, or welcome
A smiling volunteer greeted each family at the door.
Words to choose between 8
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when a wide lively smile fits the tone
Careful Grinning can look mischievous or insensitive.
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everyday
Fits when the underlying feeling is the point
Careful A pleased person may not be smiling.
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warm
Fits when broad unmistakable happiness is visible
Careful Beaming is stronger than a quiet smile.
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warm
Fits when the general mood matters more than the expression
Careful Cheerfulness need not be shown by a smile.
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warm
Fits when happiness seems to light the whole appearance
Careful Radiant adds beauty and intensity.
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warm
Fits when the expression invites approach
Careful A welcoming manner involves more than the face.
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formal
Fits when friendly good humor suits polished prose
Careful Genial describes disposition rather than one expression.
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literary
bright-faced
Fits when a visibly lively expression suits descriptive prose
Careful Bright-faced is unusual and can sound childlike.
Opposites 3
- frowning
- scowling
- grim
Common phrases 3
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smiling face
A smiling face greeted every nervous performer backstage.
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smiling broadly
The children waited, smiling broadly, beside the finished mural.
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smiling welcome
Her smiling welcome eased the visitor's uncertainty.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated