fleeting smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that is brief or momentary, often conveying a sense of transience or elusiveness. Example: "She caught a glimpse of his fleeting smile before he turned away, leaving her wondering what he was thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

She gave a fleeting smile.

The Guardian - Travel

It was a fleeting smile, though.

The New York Times - Sports

"Achilles," he replied, with a fleeting smile.

The New Yorker

Everyone I met responded with at least a fleeting smile.

The New Yorker

A faint fleeting smile, in front of the firing squad.

The New Yorker

The fleeting smile of Som Rasmey is still disconcertingly beautiful.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Fitz and John cracked fleeting smiles.

The New York Times - Arts

Like McQueen he communicates through fleeting smiles and slight grimaces.

The Guardian - Film

But the short, solidly built man, whose intense demeanor was eased by fleeting smiles, said he was sure the boy would eventually come home.

The New York Times

As the program unfolded, the performers' small asides, fleeting smiles and tears — Ms. Bernstein's eyes welled up at the sight of her father on screen — were clear to most of the audience of 90.

The New York Times

Note Elizabeth's fleeting, radiant smile of pleasure when Proctor compliments her cooking or her pointed, reproving delivery of the simple words, "Adultery, John," as her husband struggles through a recitation of the Ten Commandments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting smile" to subtly convey a character's inner thoughts or a transient emotion without explicitly stating it. It adds nuance to descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting smile" too often in the same piece of writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of smiles with alternatives like "quick smile" or "brief smile" to keep your prose engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting smile" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding detail to character portrayals or scene settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting smile" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe a brief and often subtle smile. Its primary function is descriptive, adding nuance to character portrayals and settings. The expression maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, especially within news and media. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and explore alternatives like "transient smile" or "brief smile" to maintain engaging prose. The phrase effectively conveys transient emotions or hidden thoughts, enriching the narrative without being overly explicit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transient smile

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the smile.

momentary smile

Highlights the brief duration of the smile.

brief smile

A simpler way to convey the short duration.

quick smile

Suggests the smile appeared and disappeared rapidly.

ephemeral smile

More poetic and emphasizes the fleeting beauty.

passing smile

Implies the smile was not meant to linger.

faint smile

Focuses on the subtlety and lack of intensity of the smile, not necessarily its duration.

slight smile

Similar to "faint smile", but emphasizes the small degree of the smile's expression.

vanishing smile

Highlights the disappearance of the smile.

short-lived smile

Directly indicates the brief existence of the smile.

FAQs

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

You can use "fleeting smile" to describe a brief, often subtle smile, for example, "She gave a "fleeting smile" before turning away."

What can I say instead of "fleeting smile"?

You can use alternatives like "transient smile", "momentary smile", or "brief smile" depending on the context.

What does "fleeting smile" suggest about a character?

A "fleeting smile" often suggests a momentary feeling, a hidden thought, or a reluctance to fully express joy or amusement. It adds depth to the character's portrayal.

Is "fleeting smile" formal or informal?

"Fleeting smile" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing contexts. However, more poetic alternatives like "ephemeral smile" might be more suited for literary or descriptive writing.