Cold smiling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Cold smiling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that is devoid of warmth or genuine emotion, often implying a sense of detachment or insincerity. Example: "She greeted him with a cold smiling expression, making it clear that she was not pleased to see him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 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

"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

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

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

Los Angeles Times

Laughter caused by a feeling of superiority is a type of scornful laughter or a cold smile that has been proposed by some researchers to be the prototype of laughter [ 23].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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

But they're perhaps a bit cold," he said, smiling.

The New Yorker

In addition to basic smiles and frowns, many kaomoji were lifted straight from the pages of manga, like the "cold sweat," a smiling face with a bead of sweat on its brow to indicate getting caught doing, thinking, or seeing something embarrassing, and the "sleepy face," which features a bubble of snot emerging from the nose of a sleeping face, a familiar trope in manga and anime.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Cold smiling" to depict a character or situation where the smile is deceptive, insincere, or conveys a lack of warmth. It's effective in creating a sense of unease or distrust.

Common error

Avoid using "Cold smiling" when describing genuine happiness or warmth. This phrase is best suited for portraying negative or neutral emotional states, not positive ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Cold smiling" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality or nature of a smile, indicating a lack of warmth or sincerity. As Ludwig AI explains, it is usable in written English and carries a specific connotation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Cold smiling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a smile lacking warmth or sincerity. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates detachment or insincerity. Though not as common as other expressions, its usage is distributed across various reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, making it versatile for depicting specific emotional nuances. To enhance your writing, remember that "Cold smiling" is best used to portray negative or neutral emotional states, adding depth and precision to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Icy smile

Replaces "cold" with "icy" to emphasize the lack of warmth.

Forced smile

Suggests the smile is not genuine and is put on.

Insincere smile

Directly states the lack of sincerity in the smile.

Artificial smile

Highlights the unnatural and constructed nature of the smile.

Empty smile

Emphasizes the lack of emotion or meaning behind the smile.

Heartless smile

Highlights the lack of compassion or empathy conveyed by the smile.

Unfeeling smile

Similar to heartless, but focuses on the absence of feeling.

Detached smile

Emphasizes the emotional distance of the person smiling.

Supercilious grin

Implies a haughty or condescending quality to the smile.

Wintry smile

Uses "wintry" as a metaphor for coldness, similar to "icy".

FAQs

How can I use "Cold smiling" in a sentence?

You can use "Cold smiling" to describe a smile lacking warmth or sincerity. For example: "She gave a "cold smiling" greeting, but her eyes remained distant."

What are some alternatives to "Cold smiling"?

Alternatives include "icy smile", "forced smile", or "insincere smile". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "Cold smiling" grammatically correct?

Yes, "Cold smiling" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective modifying the noun it describes.

What does a "Cold smiling" expression imply?

A "Cold smiling" expression typically implies a lack of genuine emotion, detachment, or even insincerity. It suggests the person is smiling without true warmth or happiness.