delighted smiles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delighted smiles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe expressions of happiness or joy, often in contexts where people are pleased or excited. Example: "As the children opened their gifts, their faces lit up with delighted smiles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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

The Guardian - Opinion

"She must have mashed her molars when I made the cover of The New York Times Magazine," Eppie says with a delighted smile.

The New York Times

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

Mr. Edwards walks past, sees the camera, turns away, then snaps his head back, flashing the delighted smile of a man who just spotted his oldest friend.

The New York Times - Arts

He was too busy cooking up the next batch of hooey to distribute, a big delighted smile on his face as he saw his colleagues bite the bait.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delighted smiles" to specifically describe expressions of joy stemming from a pleasant surprise or unexpected happiness. The phrase is suitable when you want to emphasize the feeling of delight behind the smile.

Common error

Avoid using "delighted smiles" in overly formal or serious contexts where a more neutral term like "pleased expressions" might be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly sentimental or informal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delighted smiles" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "delighted" modifies the noun "smiles", indicating the quality or nature of the smiles. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delighted smiles" perfectly captures the essence of happiness and pleasure conveyed through facial expressions. While grammatically correct, as supported by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. The phrase functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, used to communicate joy and positive emotional responses, often encountered in news and media contexts. Although versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in strictly formal settings where neutrality is favored. For alternative expressions, consider "joyful smiles" or "happy grins" depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joyful smiles

Emphasizes the feeling of joy behind the smiles, suggesting a deep sense of happiness.

beaming smiles

Suggests a wide, enthusiastic smile.

happy grins

Focuses on the broad, toothy smile that expresses happiness.

thrilled smiles

Focuses on the excitement and enthusiasm behind the smiles.

radiant smiles

Emphasizes the brightness and positivity of the smiles.

ecstatic grins

Highlights an extreme feeling of joy and delight.

pleased expressions

Highlights the overall expression of satisfaction, not just the smile.

contented smiles

Implies a quiet satisfaction and happiness.

blissful smiles

Suggests a state of perfect happiness and contentment.

gleeful smirks

Suggests a mischievous or triumphant happiness, a more subtle expression.

FAQs

How can I describe "delighted smiles" in simpler terms?

You can use phrases like "happy smiles", "joyful expressions", or simply "smiles of joy" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "delighted smiles" and "pleased expressions"?

"Delighted smiles" implies a greater sense of joy and surprise, while "pleased expressions" suggests a more mild satisfaction.

Is it correct to say "delighted smile" instead of "delighted smiles"?

While grammatically correct, "delighted smile" refers to a single instance, while "delighted smiles" can refer to multiple instances or a general characteristic of a group or situation.

When is it appropriate to use "delighted smiles" in writing?

Use "delighted smiles" when you want to emphasize the feeling of delight and joy behind the act of smiling, particularly in response to something pleasant or surprising.