guilty smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'guilty smile' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe a facial expression that conveys a feeling of guilt. For example, "He gave me a guilty smile as I confronted him about his adultery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Salmon flashed a guilty smile.

The New York Times - Sports

The composer acknowledged his latest tendencies with a guilty smile.

The New Yorker

A guilty smile appeared on her face and faded immediately.

The New Yorker

Why didn't I do that?'" Still, he says with a slow guilty smile, he thinks he must secretly enjoy the self-flagellation.

The Guardian

"Mostly about games," said Ms. Jang, a slightly guilty smile playing on her face as her puppy, Urami, strained in her lap, where it had spent the afternoon in confinement.

The New York Times

The third goal in particular was an absolute sensation, the Full Wenger, a move that brought the manager up on to his feet with huge, sheepish, guilty smile on his face.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It should induce guilty smiles of recognition all round – especially when the tidying celebration degenerates, once again, into chaos.

The Guardian - Books

They give the managers at restaurants guilty smiles as they duck into restrooms, with no intention of ordering anything to eat or drink.

The New York Times

"At first you go through that part where you feel guilty smiling," Wesley said recently in an interview with Charlotte reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

As the attendees file past taunts and horns, most of them give a nervous, sheepish little smile, the guilty grin of someone who's been caught out and always knew they would be.

Vice

He gave me a guilty half-smile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "guilty smile" to subtly indicate a character's awareness of wrongdoing, without explicitly stating their guilt. This can add nuance and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "guilty smile" as it can become repetitive and predictable. Vary your descriptions of facial expressions to keep your writing fresh and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty smile" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding detail to character portrayals or scene setting. It paints a picture of someone experiencing guilt, often tempered with amusement or sheepishness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is both correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guilty smile" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an expression that combines guilt with other emotions. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and frequently used in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the expression denotes a character's awareness of wrongdoing often mixed with amusement or sheepishness. While versatile, writers should vary their descriptive language to avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "sheepish grin" or "rueful smile" can provide subtle differences in meaning, enriching the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheepish grin

Focuses more on the embarrassment or awkwardness associated with the action.

rueful smile

Emphasizes regret or sorrow mixed with amusement.

apologetic smile

Highlights the apologetic nature of the expression.

knowing smile

Suggests shared knowledge of wrongdoing.

smirk of guilt

Reverses the construction to emphasize the guilt through a smirk.

self-conscious smile

Highlights the awareness and discomfort of the person.

uneasy smile

Conveys the discomfort and anxiety associated with guilt.

half-apologetic smile

Combines the idea of a partial apology with the facial expression.

shamefaced smile

Strongly emphasizes the shame felt by the person.

contrived smile

Highlights the inauthenticity and forced nature of the expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "guilty smile" to describe someone's expression when they feel a sense of guilt or have done something wrong. For example: "He gave a "guilty smile" when he realized I knew he'd eaten my cookies."

What does a "guilty smile" imply?

A "guilty smile" suggests that someone is aware they have done something wrong, but might also find the situation slightly amusing or be trying to downplay their guilt.

What are some alternatives to "guilty smile"?

You can use alternatives like "sheepish grin", "rueful smile", or "apologetic smile" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "guilty smile" a formal or informal expression?

"Guilty smile" is a fairly neutral expression and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding text and the situation being described.