delighted smile

USAGE SUMMARY

"delighted smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a smile that is full of joy and happiness. For example: "Her face was flush with delight as she beamed a delighted smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

His mouth creases into a delighted smile.

The Guardian - Arts

Each enormous face is wreathed in a delighted smile.

The New York Times

"Actor," I said, anticipating a delighted smile and a few requests for theatrical tittle-tattle.

The Guardian

"Jamie," he said, and she pointed to her son and said "Jamie", with an enormous delighted smile on her face.

The Guardian - Opinion

He basked in their attention with a delighted smile, and put a hand over his heart in the traditional gesture of thanks and respect.

The New York Times - Sports

Nikpah basked in their attention with a delighted smile, and he put his hand over his heart in the traditional gesture of thanks and respect.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I suspect I would not have often looked up to see a delighted, smiling face.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By now my kids are boldly ordering all their meals in Greek — an effort met with delighted smiles — and my son, who in his early years rejected any food that wasn't breaded, fried and presented in nugget form, is devouring grilled octopus, suction cups and all.

The Washington Post

No one in the "village of peace" has any doubt that they are the chosen ones; delighted smiles are practically tattooed onto every face.

Vice

Obviously delighted, he smiled back and waved.

The New York Times

I smile, delighted at the glimpse of her old independent self wandering among the boulders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delighted smile" to vividly portray a genuine and strong feeling of happiness. It's particularly effective when describing someone's reaction to good news or a pleasant surprise.

Common error

While "delighted smile" is appropriate for many situations, avoid using it excessively in very formal or professional writing, where more restrained language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "pleased expression" or simply describing the positive outcome without focusing on the smile itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delighted smile" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically acting as an adjective-noun combination modifying a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating its role in vividly portraying happiness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delighted smile" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a facial expression indicating genuine happiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and choose more restrained language for highly professional settings. Alternatives like "joyful grin" or "radiant smile" can provide nuanced variations. Use "delighted smile" to vividly portray a strong feeling of happiness and pleasure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joyful grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin", emphasizing a broader, more exuberant expression of happiness.

gleeful smile

Substitutes "delighted" with "gleeful", highlighting intense happiness and satisfaction.

radiant smile

Focuses on the illuminating quality of the smile, implying happiness that shines outwardly.

beaming smile

Emphasizes the breadth and intensity of the smile, suggesting strong positive emotion.

ecstatic grin

Combines a strong emotion word with "grin" for a heightened expression of joy.

contented smile

Shifts the focus to a sense of peaceful happiness and satisfaction.

happy smile

A more generic alternative, simply indicating a smile resulting from happiness.

pleased smile

Highlights satisfaction and approval reflected in the smile.

thrilled smile

Emphasizes excitement and exhilaration as the source of the smile.

elated smile

Conveys a sense of great happiness and upliftment.

FAQs

What does "delighted smile" mean?

A "delighted smile" expresses a strong feeling of happiness, joy, or pleasure. It suggests that the person smiling is genuinely pleased and content.

What can I say instead of "delighted smile"?

You can use alternatives like "joyful grin", "gleeful smile", or "radiant smile" depending on the context.

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

You can use "delighted smile" to describe someone's reaction to a positive event. For example: "Her face lit up, and a "delighted smile" spread across her face when she heard the news."

Is "delighted smile" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal or professional contexts, consider using more subdued alternatives like "pleased expression" or focusing on the reason for the happiness rather than the smile itself.