a large smile

USAGE SUMMARY

"a large smile" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is displaying a wide, cheerful smile. For example: "John greeted his friends with a large smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I was long overdue," Kittles said with a large smile.

The New York Times - Sports

Romney raised her hands in triumph and wore a large smile.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're supposed to say something now," she said, and turned a large smile on me.

The New Yorker

There is a particularly memorable shot of Donald Rumsfeld, surrounded by horses, sporting a large smile.

The New York Times

A large smile spoke volumes about what the podium finish meant in her fourth consecutive Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

"I didn't want to be the only dumb one," he said, breaking out into a large smile.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

During my visit to corporate headquarters, I met the keeper of Yoox's algorithm, Alberto Grignolo, a husky, balding man with pale eyes and a large, smiling face.

The New Yorker

On Friday, however, some more of Ms. Gristina's past trickled into public view as she was seen in a newspaper photograph sitting on the lap of a large, smiling man dressed in a blue satin shirt.

The New York Times

But there were no blank cards except two with sex themes — one that somebody had already written on and drawn a picture of a large, smiling penis with a mustache.

The New Yorker

A collage painting of a large, smiling face, it's based on a photograph of the rapper Russell Tyrone Jones, a k a Ol' Dirty Bastard, or ODB, a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, who died of a drug overdose in 2004 at the age of 35.

The New York Times - Arts

A large, smiling blowfish and a mischievous, young girl are just two works that are made to entertain.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a large smile" to vividly describe a person's expression when conveying genuine happiness, satisfaction, or amusement in your narrative.

Common error

While "a large smile" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more nuanced descriptors like "a pleased expression" or "a satisfied grin" in formal writing to avoid sounding too informal or simplistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large smile" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, describing a facial expression. The examples show its use in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Lifestyle

14%

Sports

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large smile" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys a person's happiness or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it is a neutral expression suitable for a variety of narrative contexts. While versatile, more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred in formal writing. To enhance creative expression, consider incorporating variations such as "a beaming smile" or "a radiant smile".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beaming smile

Highlights the radiant and joyful nature of the smile.

a radiant smile

Stresses the bright and positive quality of the smile, suggesting happiness and warmth.

a delighted smile

Implies a strong feeling of joy and happiness.

a broad grin

Focuses on the width and openness of the smile, emphasizing its cheerfulness.

a cheerful smile

Highlights the upbeat and positive nature of the smile.

a grin from ear to ear

Emphasizes the extreme width and happiness conveyed by the smile.

a huge grin

Conveys a sense of exuberance and amusement through an exaggerated smile.

a wide smile

Emphasizes the physical extent of the smile across the face.

a pleased smile

Suggests a sense of gratification and satisfaction.

a satisfied smile

Indicates contentment and pleasure, often after achieving something or experiencing something positive.

FAQs

How can I describe a smile more creatively than using "a large smile"?

Consider using phrases like "a beaming smile", "a radiant smile", or "a wide grin" to add more vivid imagery and emotion to your descriptions.

Is it appropriate to use "a large smile" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "a large smile" might come across as too informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "a pleased expression" or "a satisfied smile" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the difference between "a large smile" and "a wide smile"?

"A large smile" emphasizes the intensity and overall size of the smile, while "a wide smile" specifically focuses on the horizontal extent of the smile across the face. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

How can I emphasize the genuineness of "a large smile"?

You can add adverbs to emphasize the genuineness, such as "a genuinely large smile" or "a sincerely large smile". Alternatively, use phrases like "a heartfelt smile" to directly convey authenticity.