cunning smile

USAGE SUMMARY

"cunning smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a smile that is sly or calculating in nature. For example, "He gave me a cunning smile, as if he had a secret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Catherine arriving at the party with her disreputable boyfriend wears "a stunned, vaguely cunning smile".

The Guardian - Books

He explains that the place where he has been living for years was also part of a plot supposed to be given away to someone else.With a glint in his eye and a cunning smile on his face, he recounts how, when the new owner arrived to check out his plot, he showed him the adjacent wooded and sloped area, convincing him this is what he had been given.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For example, if the fox is destined to be cunning, use a sly smile.

WikiHow

Brando lifted an imaginary telephone, put it to his ear with a cunning, eavesdropper's smile.

The New Yorker

Seven Honored For Design Work ALBERT HADLEY, the interior designer, stood at the bar with his bushy eyebrows and cunning sense of celebrity, smiling like a little fox.

The New York Times

And who, please, could smother a smile at the cunning countryman's patient four-year wait before he hurled the straw and tarpaulin aside to reveal a fully formed castle no longer in need of planning permission?

The Guardian - Opinion

For all these reasons Mr Osborne spent Wednesday struggling to suppress a smile at his own cunning, and the dilemma posed is undeniably a real one for Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even my countenance betrayed me, not just my pale skin but my expressions, the indecision of my smile, the absence of cunning, and, most of all, the absence of command — an American face.

The New Yorker

Mr. Harding was now smiling back with arrogant cunning, although with quite friendly, gentle manner.

Huffington Post

Here: "Cunning?

The New York Times

Cunning, eh?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cunning smile" to vividly depict a character's sly or scheming nature, adding depth and intrigue to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "cunning smile" in formal or professional settings where a more neutral or positive expression is expected, as it carries a slightly negative connotation of slyness or deception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cunning smile" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "smile". It describes the type of smile, imbuing it with a sense of slyness, deceit, or cleverness. Ludwig examples show this in literary and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cunning smile" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a smile that is sly, calculating, or subtly deceitful. It's relatively rare but appears in reputable sources such as news media and online articles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers examples primarily from the news and media domain. When writing, consider the connotations of deception or manipulation associated with "cunning smile", and avoid using it in contexts that require straightforward or positive expressions. Alternatives such as "sly grin" or "deceptive smile" might be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sly grin

Replaces 'smile' with 'grin', suggesting a broader, perhaps more mischievous expression.

deceptive smile

Replaces 'cunning' with 'deceptive', emphasizing the misleading nature of the smile.

calculating smile

Replaces 'cunning' with 'calculating', highlighting the deliberate planning behind the smile.

knowing smile

Suggests the person has secret information or an advantage.

scheming smile

Implies that the smile is related to a plan or plot.

artful smile

Suggests the smile is crafted or designed to achieve a specific effect.

sardonic smile

Indicates a cynical or mocking smile.

enigmatic smile

Highlights the mysterious or puzzling nature of the smile.

wry smile

Conveys a smile that is both amused and ironic.

foxy smile

Uses 'foxy' as an adjective to describe the smile, emphasizing its clever and sly qualities.

FAQs

How can I describe a smile that is both clever and slightly deceitful?

You can use the phrase "cunning smile". It suggests that the person is not only smiling but also has a hidden agenda or is being sly.

What's the difference between a "cunning smile" and a "genuine smile"?

A "cunning smile" implies slyness and potential deception, whereas a "genuine smile" reflects true happiness and sincerity.

Are there synonyms for "cunning smile" that I can use to add variety to my writing?

Yes, you could use phrases like "sly grin", "deceptive smile", or "calculating smile" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what type of writing is it most appropriate to use the term "cunning smile"?

The term "cunning smile" is typically used in fiction, character descriptions, or narrative writing where you want to portray a character as sly, scheming, or subtly manipulative. It is less appropriate for formal or professional writing.