a broad grin

USAGE SUMMARY

"a broad grin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone's smile as wide and cheerful. Example: The little girl couldn't hide her excitement as she greeted her friends with a broad grin on her face.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had a broad grin.

The New Yorker

A broad grin stretched across his face.

The New York Times - Sports

See you later," Egan said, with a broad grin.

The New Yorker

"It was 1973," he said, with a broad grin.

The New York Times - Food

"Not really!" he says with a broad grin.

The Guardian - Film

Hyde tells this anecdote with a broad grin.

The Guardian - Music

But the memory brought only a broad grin.

The Guardian - Sport

It's yours," Dad would say with a broad grin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Bigger byline," she confides with a broad grin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a landmark," Mr. Collins announced with a broad grin.

The New York Times

The missing element was pride, he says with a broad grin.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a broad grin" to effectively portray a character's visible joy, satisfaction, or amusement in your writing. It adds a vivid detail, making their emotion easily understood by the reader.

Common error

While "a broad grin" is effective, overusing it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of smiles by using alternatives like "a wide smile" or describing the effect of the smile, such as "his face lit up"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad grin" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies an action or state of being, indicating the presence of a wide and expressive smile. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a broad grin" is a versatile and vivid expression used to depict genuine happiness or amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "a wide smile" or "a beaming smile" exist, "a broad grin" often carries a connotation of playfulness or overt joy. Remember to vary your descriptive language to avoid repetition and enhance your writing's impact. As a common and easily understood phrase, "a broad grin" effectively communicates positive emotions to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide smile

Focuses on the width of the smile, similar to "a broad grin" but slightly less emphatic.

a beaming smile

Emphasizes the radiance and joy expressed through the smile.

a huge smile

Highlights the size of the smile, comparable to "a broad grin" in indicating enthusiasm.

a big smile

A general term for a large and happy smile, similar in implication.

a pleased expression

Indicates satisfaction and contentment, often reflected in a smile or grin.

a cheerful smile

Highlights the positive and happy nature of the smile.

a delighted smile

Suggests a high degree of pleasure and joy, demonstrated through the smile.

a satisfied smile

Emphasizes contentment and fulfillment reflected in the smile.

a mischievous grin

Suggests a playful or teasing intent behind the smile, adding a layer of intrigue.

a knowing smile

Implies understanding or shared knowledge, making it more about insight than simple happiness.

FAQs

How can I use "a broad grin" in a sentence?

You can use "a broad grin" to describe someone's expression when they are very happy or amused. For example: "She greeted him with "a broad grin" after hearing the good news".

What can I say instead of "a broad grin"?

You can use alternatives like "a wide smile", "a beaming smile", or "a huge smile" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a broad smile" or "a broad grin"?

While both are acceptable, ""a broad grin"" often implies a more overt and possibly mischievous or playful happiness, whereas "a broad smile" is a more general expression of happiness.

What's the difference between "a broad grin" and "a smirk"?

"A broad grin" suggests genuine happiness or amusement, while a smirk usually implies smugness, secret satisfaction, or even mockery.