a quick smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a smile that is brief or fleeting, often conveying friendliness or acknowledgment. Example: "She greeted him with a quick smile before continuing on her way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He looked up with a quick smile.

The New York Times - Food

"He always had a quick smile, a kind word.

Independent

Mike Jackson? "Yes," he says with a quick smile.

The Guardian - Film

Alvarenga cracked a quick smile and waved to the cameras.

The Guardian

A nod, a quick smile, a look away.

The New York Times

"All the time," he said with a quick smile.

The New York Times - Travel

He smiled a quick smile and immediately resumed his excited monologue.

The New Yorker

He has blond eyebrows, a quick smile, mussed hair the color of hay.

The New Yorker

She gave me a quick smile, then turned her gaze back to Terri.

The New Yorker

Ms. Garcia and Mr. Paglia flashed each other a quick smile.

The New York Times - Arts

He has an open face and a quick smile, and his features are handsomely proportioned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick smile" to subtly convey a character's reaction or emotional state, especially in narrative writing. It's effective for showing brief acknowledgment or a fleeting emotion without dwelling on it.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick smile" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make the description seem repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your descriptions of smiles by using alternatives like "a fleeting smile" or focusing on other facial expressions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a quick smile" is as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "gave a quick smile") or as a descriptive element characterizing a person's expression, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quick smile" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a brief, often polite, smile. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use, particularly in news and media. While versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain its descriptive impact. Consider alternatives like "a brief smile" or "a fleeting smile" for variety. This phrase effectively conveys a subtle expression of emotion or acknowledgment in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting smile

Emphasizes the transient nature of the smile, highlighting its brief duration.

a brief smile

Focuses on the short duration of the smile, similar to "quick".

a momentary smile

Highlights the smile's existence for only a moment in time.

a passing smile

Suggests the smile quickly disappears or moves on.

a small smile

Refers to the size and intensity of the smile being slight.

a faint smile

Emphasizes the subtlety or barely perceptible nature of the smile.

a suppressed smile

Suggests the smile is being held back or controlled.

a forced smile

Indicates the smile is not genuine but rather put on.

a wry smile

Adds a sense of irony or amusement to the smile.

a knowing smile

Implies the smile carries a specific understanding or shared secret.

FAQs

What does "a quick smile" mean?

The phrase "a quick smile" describes a smile that is brief or fleeting, often used to convey politeness, acknowledgment, or a momentary expression of happiness.

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

You can use "a quick smile" to describe someone's reaction or expression, for example: "She gave him "a quick smile" before turning away."

What are some alternatives to "a quick smile"?

Alternatives to "a quick smile" include "a brief smile", "a fleeting smile", or "a momentary smile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a quick smile" formal or informal?

"A quick smile" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding text and the overall tone.