kindly smile

USAGE SUMMARY

'kindly smile' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has a smile that expresses warmth or friendliness. For example: The little old lady at the bus stop greeted me with a kindly smile.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He has elegant manners and a kindly smile.

The New Yorker

With a twinkle in his eye and a kindly smile, he lit up our lives.

The New York Times

Gove answers questions with a kindly smile, as if keen to do the world a favour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then he said, in that soft Georgia voice, with a kindly smile: 'Fuck the press.' "I loved him for that".

The New Yorker

Mr. Corzine looks thoughtful in one picture, stroking his chin; in another he seems to be wearing a kindly smile.

The New York Times

Instead, I found an endearing and affable man with crinkly eyes, a kindly smile, and a whimsical demeanour.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Do you have any objection to that?" She asked this kindly, smiling, wary of my reaction, and I shook my head, not smiling back.

The New Yorker

To which Michel, despite having his heart embedded in his throat and knowing full well that it was only the hand of God that had saved them, thanked the man kindly, smiled, and opened the customary bottle of champagne.

Forbes

He spoke kindly, smiled warmly, and seemed genuinely interested.

Huffington Post

My husband is used to me talking like this, so he kindly smiled and nodded his head in agreement.

Huffington Post

Arguably the most beloved among them is the kindly smiling angel of the Cathedral of Reims in France.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kindly smile" to depict a character's gentle and benevolent nature in narrative writing. It conveys warmth and approachability, making the character more endearing to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "kindly smile" too frequently in dialogue descriptions. It can become repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions with other facial expressions and body language to convey emotions more subtly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kindly smile" functions as an adjective-noun collocation, where the adjective "kindly" modifies the noun "smile". It describes a specific type of smile characterized by benevolence and warmth. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kindly smile" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a warm and benevolent expression. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Analysis of various sources, primarily from News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, reveals that "kindly smile" effectively conveys gentleness and approachability. While alternatives like "warm smile" or "friendly smile" exist, "kindly smile" maintains a unique nuance, emphasizing the benevolence behind the expression. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and avoids overuse in descriptions to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warm smile

Replaces "kindly" with "warm", emphasizing the emotional temperature of the smile.

friendly smile

Substitutes "kindly" with "friendly", focusing on the amicable nature of the smile.

benevolent smile

Replaces "kindly" with "benevolent", highlighting the goodwill conveyed by the smile.

gentle smile

Substitutes "kindly" with "gentle", emphasizing the soft and tender quality of the smile.

amiable smile

Replaces "kindly" with "amiable", stressing the pleasant and agreeable nature of the smile.

gracious smile

Substitutes "kindly" with "gracious", indicating politeness and courteousness in the smile.

pleasant smile

Replaces "kindly" with "pleasant", focusing on the agreeable and pleasing aspect of the smile.

compassionate smile

Substitutes "kindly" with "compassionate", highlighting the empathy expressed in the smile.

approving smile

Implies agreement, support, or satisfaction conveyed through a smile.

sympathetic smile

Expresses understanding and care for someone else's situation through a smile.

FAQs

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

You can use "kindly smile" to describe someone's gentle and friendly expression, for example: "The old man greeted the children with a "kindly smile".".

What are some alternatives to "kindly smile"?

Alternatives include "warm smile", "friendly smile", or "gentle smile", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the smile's quality.

Is "kindly smile" formal or informal?

"Kindly smile" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the writing.

How does a "kindly smile" differ from just a regular smile?

A "kindly smile" specifically suggests warmth, gentleness, and benevolence, distinguishing it from a regular smile that may simply indicate happiness or politeness.