Cold smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Cold smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that appears unfriendly, insincere, or lacking warmth, often conveying a sense of detachment or malice. Example: "She greeted him with a cold smile, making it clear that she was not pleased to see him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She has a 3* warm smile and a 5* cold smile.

Independent

This man fixed me with a cold smile between bites of pizza and said, "Oh, we've got lots of V.I.P.'s".

The New York Times - Style

The bad feelings began in the first episode, when the opposing coach suffered an injury and producers decided not to tell Rousey; instead, they lured her to the gym, where the new coach — Tate — was waiting, with a cold smile.

The New Yorker

The bad feelings began in the first episode, when the opposing coach suffered an injury and producers decided not to tell Rousey; instead, they lured her to the gym, where the new coach—Tate was waiting, with a cold smile.

The New Yorker

"Later," Maksik writes, "she listened to the BBC as the U.N. unsealed Taylor's indictment: murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery, terrorism, looting, the unlawful recruitment of child soldiers.... Her father looked at her and smiled a cold smile, a smile that meant, What I'm about to say is the last we'll speak of it..

The New York Times - Books

Just after 2 a.m., the man with the cold smile strode into the gallows, manacled at the wrists.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Anthony Michaels-Moorelishedhed Scarpi's cold, smiling lasciviousness.

The Guardian

With his ice-cold smile and ability to snap necks the way lesser men twist off beer caps, Frost was "the best of the best," an expert manipulator who literally wrote the book on the techniques of interrogation.

Los Angeles Times

Have a warm smile, but a cold grin.

WikiHow

She's oddly cold, rarely smiling, often tapping at her in-ear mic.

The Guardian - Music

Dead mother, cold father, smiling assassin for a stepmum: she doesn't sound like she'd be much fun on paper.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold smile" to convey a character's lack of genuine warmth or perhaps a hidden, calculating nature. It's especially effective in describing interactions where underlying tension exists.

Common error

Avoid describing every instance of a character's smile as a "cold smile". Vary your descriptions to avoid monotony and ensure the phrase retains its impact when genuinely needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold smile" primarily functions as a descriptive element, often an adjective-noun combination, used to characterize a smile lacking warmth or sincerity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It serves to modify the noun "smile", providing additional information about its nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold smile" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a descriptive phrase, usually an adjective modifying a noun, to convey a lack of warmth, sincerity, or even a hint of malice behind a smile. While "cold smile" appears most frequently in News & Media, it maintains a neutral formality, fitting diverse writing contexts. For alternatives, consider "icy smile", "forced smile", or "insincere smile", but remember to vary descriptions to avoid overuse. Using "cold smile" effectively helps to enrich character portrayals and build tension in narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Icy smile

Emphasizes the lack of warmth and emotional distance, similar to "cold smile" but with a stronger sense of frigidity.

Forced smile

Highlights the insincerity and effort behind the smile, suggesting it's not genuine.

Insincere smile

Directly points out the lack of genuineness in the smile.

Empty smile

Suggests a smile that lacks any real emotion or connection.

Artificial smile

Implies the smile is fake and manufactured, lacking naturalness.

Steely smile

Conveys a sense of cold determination or resolve behind the smile.

Heartless smile

Emphasizes the lack of compassion or empathy in the smile.

Condescending smile

Suggests the smile is used to express superiority or disdain.

Sardonic smile

Implies a cynical or mocking undertone to the smile.

Wry smile

Suggests a smile tinged with irony or resignation.

FAQs

How can I use "cold smile" in a sentence?

You can use "cold smile" to describe someone's expression when they are being insincere, unfriendly, or calculating. For example, "She gave him a /s/cold+smile, which sent a shiver down his spine".

What are some alternatives to "cold smile"?

Some alternatives to "cold smile" include "icy smile", "forced smile", or "insincere smile". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does a "cold smile" typically imply about a person's character?

A "cold smile" often suggests that the person is detached, calculating, or possibly harboring negative feelings. It can also indicate a lack of genuine emotion or warmth.

Is there a difference between a "cold smile" and a "fake smile"?

While both imply insincerity, a "cold smile" suggests a more deliberate lack of warmth, potentially hinting at a negative emotion or intention. A "fake smile" simply indicates that the person is not genuinely happy, without necessarily implying any ill will.