a broad smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a broad smile' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's expression. For example: She greeted me with a broad smile.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Brodsky responded with a broad smile.

The New York Times

Lombardi broke into a broad smile.

The New Yorker

I had a broad smile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Webb finished with a broad smile.

The New York Times

"Started!" he said, with a broad smile.

The New York Times

'Great,' he said, with a broad smile.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Obama broke into a broad smile.

The New York Times

"Whew," Zabel said with a broad smile.

The New York Times - Sports

Justice Ginsburg reacted with a broad smile.

The New York Times

She flashed a broad smile, then waved away the offer.

The New York Times

Thomas broke into a broad smile when asked about it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a broad smile" to vividly describe someone's expression when they are genuinely happy or pleased. It conveys a stronger sense of joy than simply saying someone smiled.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad smile" in contexts that are somber or serious, as it can seem inappropriate or insensitive. Opt for more subdued descriptions of facial expressions in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad smile" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad smile" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a wide, happy smile. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's primarily found in news and media contexts, serving to depict genuine happiness or approval. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in very formal or serious settings where a more subtle expression might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as ""a wide smile"" or ""a beaming smile"" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide smile

Replaces "broad" with "wide", emphasizing the extent of the smile across the face.

a big smile

Substitutes "broad" with "big", focusing on the overall size and impact of the smile.

a beaming smile

Replaces "broad" with "beaming", highlighting the radiant and joyful nature of the smile.

a radiant smile

Changes "broad" to "radiant", emphasizing the brightness and positive energy conveyed by the smile.

a cheerful smile

Substitutes "broad" with "cheerful", focusing on the happy and pleasant nature of the smile.

a delighted smile

Replaces "broad" with "delighted", emphasizing the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction behind the smile.

a happy grin

Changes "smile" to "grin" and "broad" to "happy", altering the intensity of the expression while maintaining a positive sentiment.

a wide grin

Changes “smile” to “grin”, altering the intensity of the expression while maintaining the emphasis on width.

a hearty smile

Substitutes "broad" with "hearty", emphasizing the genuineness and sincerity of the smile.

a full smile

Replaces "broad" with "full", focusing on the complete and unreserved nature of the smile.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad smile" to describe someone's facial expression. For example, "She greeted me with "a broad smile" after hearing the good news".

What are some synonyms for "a broad smile"?

Alternatives to "a broad smile" include "a wide smile", "a beaming smile", or "a radiant smile". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe a smile as 'broad'?

While "a broad smile" is generally positive, it might not be suitable in all contexts. For instance, describing someone giving "a nervous smile" or "a subtle smile" would be more accurate in situations involving discomfort or reservation.

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

While both describe positive facial expressions, "a broad smile" suggests a wider, more genuine expression of happiness, while "a grin" can sometimes imply mischievousness or slyness.