clever smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a smile that conveys intelligence, wit, or a sense of playfulness, often implying that the person has a clever thought or idea. Example: "She greeted him with a clever smile, hinting that she had a witty response ready."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We are one big happy family," she says of the Kennedys, with a clever smile.

The New Yorker

She had loved Walter Hartnett for the hitch in his walk, the built-up shoe, as much as she'd loved him for his clever smile and his gray eyes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not terribly clever!. "Smile" was released as a single, and the maxi single format for it contains two B-Sides, "Absolutely Nothing" and "Cheryl Tweedy", which Allen struggled to get on the album, but lost them in favour of "Take What You Take".

Wikipedia

She examines human silliness with her own clever, tolerantly smiling seriousness.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am told that to include Greece is economically not very clever," Le Pillouër smiles.

The Guardian

They will come in waves, armed with earnest smiles, clever videos, dreamy promises and, most important, with cap space, that precious N.B.A. commodity.

The New York Times

I could spend the rest of this piece delighting you with the wonders of the People's Republic of Cork – our smiling, clever, children, gentle lilting voices, our rolling hills but I'm going to assume you already know all this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Coyly ask "So, is there anybody you like?" (Keep in mind that some people might say "this guy" or "this girl" and mean "you". If they say "I like this really cute and clever girl" while smiling at you, then they're talking about you).. Ask them out.

WikiHow

A sweet smile, a clever show of martyrdom, and the poor sap will jump to it.

The Guardian

"You're a very clever fellow," Hagel replied, smiling.

The New Yorker

"He comes up with these clever concepts that make you smile, and he pulls them off".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clever smile" to subtly suggest intelligence or wit behind a person's expression. It adds depth to character descriptions and implies more than just happiness.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "clever smile" in dialogue tags. It can become repetitive and detract from the conversation. Instead, vary your descriptions with different expressions or actions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever smile" functions as a descriptive element, adding detail to character portrayal or setting a specific mood. It combines an adjective (clever) with a noun (smile) to modify the smile's nature. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English. Examples show it used to imply intelligence or hidden intent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clever smile" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as a descriptive element that suggests more than just happiness; it implies intelligence, wit, or a hidden agenda. While not exceedingly common, it appears consistently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Related phrases like "witty grin" or "knowing smile" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. When using "clever smile", aim to add depth to character descriptions and subtly hint at underlying thoughts or intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smart smile

Uses "smart" instead of "clever", which is a direct synonym.

witty grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin" and "clever" with "witty", emphasizing a more mischievous or playful expression.

intelligent smile

Substitutes "clever" with "intelligent", focusing on the intellectual aspect of the smile.

knowing smile

Replaces "clever" with "knowing", implying the smile reflects awareness of a secret or hidden meaning.

astute smile

Uses "astute" to suggest shrewdness and discernment in the smile.

knowing smirk

Replaces "smile" with "smirk" and "clever" with "knowing" suggesting smug satisfaction or secret knowledge.

knowing grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin" and "clever" with "knowing", it suggests amusement, mischief and/or secret knowledge.

ingenious smile

Substitutes "ingenious" for "clever", highlighting the inventiveness or resourcefulness behind the smile.

sly smile

Indicates a more secretive or cunning intention behind the smile.

cunning smile

Highlights the manipulative or strategic nature of the smile.

FAQs

What does "clever smile" imply?

A "clever smile" suggests that the person smiling is intelligent, witty, or has a hidden agenda. It implies more than just happiness and can indicate strategic thinking or amusement.

What can I say instead of "clever smile"?

You can use alternatives like "witty grin", "intelligent smile", or "knowing smile" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clever smile" formal or informal?

"Clever smile" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards informal due to its descriptive nature.

How can I effectively use "clever smile" in a story?

Use "clever smile" to reveal a character's thoughts or intentions without explicitly stating them. For example, "She gave a clever smile as she explained her seemingly foolproof plan", hints at her confidence and intelligence.