fat smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fat smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a broad, joyful smile, often implying warmth or happiness. Example: "When she saw her friends after so long, her face lit up with a fat smile that could brighten anyone's day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

BBC

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For one, two or maybe three families in the country, the holiday will have the rosy glow of a cotton commercial: the breakfast in bed will not spill onto the heirloom quilt, the flowers will arrive without looking as if they spent the better part of the day in the delivery truck and the man of the house will cook a five-course meal for his in-laws with a big fat smile on his face.

The New York Times - Style

"Yes, there will be added spice,"  said full-back Rob Kearney following Ireland's victory over Scotland on Sunday, a big, fat smile splattered across his face.

BBC

MR: "Tennessee" sounds like personal history with a big fat smile.

Huffington Post

He arrived with bags and boxes, too much facial hair, a bonsai that survived the dorm, and a big, fat smile that told me how happy he was to be home.

Huffington Post

I started to blame my friends and family for not supporting me and not helping me get better all while keeping a big fat smile on my face pretending I had it all together and slowly... my life started to fall apart.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the primary grades, the bulletin boards were full of fat, smiling, crayon-colored turkeys.

The New York Times

Follow him on Twitter: @charleShevis84.

Vice

"People did it in the spirit of absurdity and fun, and we like to come together in public space and share ideas and show our vision through our action and we're doing that tonight with a good bit of jest and big fat smiles on our faces".

Huffington Post

A fat pitying smile had stretched her closed lips as she shook her head.

The New Yorker

She had yelled, "What did she tell you," and the woman had stood there with a fat, pitying smile… Juliet got phone calls from people who had been friendly with Penelope.

The New Yorker

Always be positive and greet the worst of people with a big fat fake smile.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fat smile" to vividly describe a broad and genuine expression of happiness or contentment. Consider the context to ensure it doesn't imply smugness or other unintended meanings.

Common error

Be mindful that "fat smile" can sometimes be misinterpreted as sarcastic or self-satisfied. Consider using alternatives like "broad smile" or "beaming smile" if you want to avoid any negative connotations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fat smile" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "fat" modifies the noun "smile". Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It provides a vivid image of a wide, perhaps exaggerated, smile.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

The New York Times

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fat smile" describes a wide and expressive smile, often indicative of genuine happiness or contentment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. While the phrase is not inherently negative, one should consider the context to avoid potential misinterpretations of smugness. It appears mostly in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives like "broad grin" or "beaming smile" for more formal settings or when needing to avoid ambiguity. Though the use of "fat smile" is correct, its relative infrequency suggests being mindful of audience and context when using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin", emphasizing a wider and perhaps more boisterous expression.

wide smile

Uses "wide" instead of "fat" to describe the smile's extent, focusing on physical dimension.

beaming smile

Emphasizes the radiant and joyful quality of the smile.

happy grin

Combines a general positive emotion with a wide expression.

warm smile

Focuses on the friendly and inviting nature of the smile.

contented smile

Focuses on the internal feeling reflected by the smile, suggesting satisfaction.

genuine smile

Stresses the authenticity and sincerity of the smile.

smug smile

Implies a self-satisfied or superior attitude behind the smile.

self-satisfied smile

Highlights the sense of personal gratification conveyed by the smile.

joyful expression

Shifts the focus from just the mouth to the whole face showing happiness.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "fat smile" in a sentence?

You can use "fat smile" to describe someone's facial expression when they are extremely happy or pleased, such as: "He had a "fat smile" on his face when he received the good news."

What are some alternatives to "fat smile"?

Some alternatives to "fat smile" include "broad grin", "wide smile", or "beaming smile". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fat smile" considered a formal or informal expression?

"Fat smile" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal contexts, it is better to use phrases like "sincere smile" or "radiant smile".

Can "fat smile" ever have a negative connotation?

Yes, depending on the context, "fat smile" might imply smugness or self-satisfaction. To avoid this, consider whether a more neutral term like "contented smile" would be more appropriate.