a little face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or cute face, often in a context where one is expressing affection or endearment. Example: "The puppy looked up at me with a little face that melted my heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Peter the Ha was lucky enough to get a little face time with the N810 a month ago and Ars Technica got to play around with one yesterday as well.

TechCrunch

I have such a little face.

The New York Times

It's hard to knock Mr. Corbat for wanting a little face time with them.

The New York Times

They were also there to earn a little face time in front of fight fans.

The New York Times - Sports

She makes a little face that says, in so many words, ick.

The New York Times

He made a little face when he said "dolling him up".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

I do a little face-palm inside my head every time I see it".

The New Yorker

It's a way to keep mother in the house and give her a little face-lift.

The New York Times

He understood that I was fine, and I was desperate for a little face-to-face work gossip.

The New York Times

We venture up a frozen mountain in Norway to get a little face-time with Gorgoroth's Gaahl in his gloomy cabin.

Vice

"So sure, I've said to myself, 'OK, maybe a little face-lift,' but I think you just can't give in to that because if you do, you're buying into everything that's false and ultimately self-destructive.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's appearance, use "a little face" to convey a sense of smallness, cuteness, or vulnerability. It's particularly effective in narrative writing to evoke empathy or tenderness towards a character.

Common error

Avoid using "a little face" in formal or professional settings where a more neutral or descriptive term like "small face" or "unassuming features" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little face" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies a noun, providing information about its size or appearance. This aligns with Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

17%

Science & Research

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little face" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe someone's appearance. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's more appropriate for informal and creative contexts than for formal or professional writing. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Science & Research. If you need an alternative, consider "a small face" or "a tiny face". When using "a little face", aim to convey a sense of endearment, vulnerability, or smallness in your writing or speech. Avoid overuse in formal settings where it may sound out of place. The phrase is used in a variety of contexts, as seen in the examples, from describing people to even animals or inanimate objects with human-like characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a miniature face

Uses "miniature" to convey the small size in a more emphatic way.

a sweet little face

Adds an emotional tone using "sweet", suggesting affection or endearment.

a petite face

Uses the French word "petite" to give a sense of refinement and smallness.

a small countenance

Replaces "face" with "countenance", implying a more formal or literary tone.

a wee face

Uses "wee" which is a more informal and affectionate term for "small".

a delicate visage

Uses "visage" to suggest a refined or aesthetic quality of the face.

a tiny facial expression

Emphasizes the expressive aspect of a small face.

a slight facial feature

Highlights a particular feature of the face rather than the whole.

a little mug

Uses "mug", a slang term for face, adding a touch of informality or humor.

a small facade

Metaphorically uses "facade" to refer to the face, implying a constructed or presented image.

FAQs

How can I use "a little face" in a sentence?

You can use "a little face" to describe someone's appearance, often to convey a sense of smallness, cuteness, or vulnerability. For example: "The child had "a little face" framed by blonde curls."

What are some alternatives to "a little face"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a small face", "a tiny face", or "a delicate visage".

Is it appropriate to use "a little face" in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little face" is generally more suited to informal or creative writing. In professional contexts, consider more neutral terms like "small features" or "unassuming appearance".

What does it mean when someone is described as having "a little face"?

Describing someone as having "a little face" typically implies that their face is small or delicate. It can also suggest youthfulness, vulnerability, or a certain kind of attractiveness.