artificial smile

USAGE SUMMARY

'artificial smile' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is not genuinely smiling, but rather is smiling for show. For example, "The politician greeted the audience with an artificial smile on his face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Well," she said, studying Amber with an artificial smile.

The New Yorker

Ross noticed Thurmond's practiced stance and artificial smile as he reached over to shake the students' hands.

The New Yorker

Wearing a copper-colored dress whose tarnished glitter suggested crushed Christmas ornaments and flashing a bright artificial smile, Ms. McKay, bounced onto the stage like an animated package of pretty poison.

The New York Times - Arts

I covered my body, put on an artificial smile, and humbly, conveniently followed any rules society dictated to me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unfortunately Mr. Vilaro hasn't taken advantage of the turnover to discard the artificial smiles that have long emphasized blandness in the company repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

"The trip had been managed by the others, and it was just like an old-fashioned tour of the provinces by a General Secretary of the Communist Party: no one too close, and frozen, artificial smiles on the faces of all the local big shots.

The New Yorker

Artificial smiles look artificial.

Huffington Post

Artificial smiles can be performed at will because the brain signals that create them come from the conscious mind, prompting contraction of (zygomatic major) muscles in the cheeks.

Huffington Post

They also reflect a narcissistic tendency which shapes the face in unnatural mimics—artificial big smiles, sensual pouts, funny faces or offensive gestures.

Vice

"They're artificial, too," he smiles.

The Guardian - Travel

Did Woolf have the darting eyes of a pigeon, interrupted by a fierce stare and the artificial rictus of a smile?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "artificial smile" to convey a lack of genuine emotion, often indicating politeness, deception, or discomfort. It's effective in describing characters in fiction or analyzing public figures' expressions.

Common error

Avoid using "artificial smile" excessively, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "forced smile" or specific details about the character's expression to maintain reader engagement and depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "artificial smile" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "artificial" modifies the noun "smile". It describes the quality of the smile, indicating it is not genuine. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes a smile made for show, often masking true feelings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "artificial smile" describes a smile lacking genuine emotion, often used to mask true feelings or conform to social expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its use in portraying insincerity or politeness. While grammatically sound and readily understood, "artificial smile" appears relatively infrequently in written text. It is frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating its relevance in describing public figures and social interactions. Related phrases include "forced smile" and "insincere smile". When using this phrase, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, and avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere smile

Directly states the lack of sincerity behind the smile.

plastic smile

Compares the smile to plastic, highlighting its artificial and inflexible nature.

forced smile

Highlights the effort required to produce the smile, suggesting it's not natural.

hollow smile

Emphasizes the emptiness and lack of warmth behind the smile.

put-on smile

Emphasizes that the smile is deliberately displayed, not genuinely felt.

phony smile

Uses a more informal term, "phony", to describe the smile's lack of authenticity.

contrived smile

Suggests the smile is elaborately planned or manipulated to appear genuine.

fake grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin", implying a broader, possibly less sincere expression.

affected smile

Suggests the smile is put on to impress others and is not a true reflection of feeling.

false-front smile

Implies a deceptive appearance, like a facade, hiding true feelings.

FAQs

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

You can use "artificial smile" to describe a smile that is not genuine, often used to mask true feelings or maintain politeness. For example, "She greeted him with an "artificial smile", though she was secretly annoyed."

What are some alternatives to saying "artificial smile"?

Alternatives to "artificial smile" include "forced smile", "fake grin", or "insincere smile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "artificial smile" and "genuine smile"?

An "artificial smile" is a contrived expression lacking real emotion, while a "genuine smile" reflects true happiness or amusement and involves the muscles around the eyes.

Is it always negative to describe a smile as "artificial"?

Describing a smile as "artificial" usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting insincerity or pretense. However, it can also be neutral in contexts where a smile is expected for professional or social reasons, even without genuine emotion.