profound smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that conveys deep emotion or significant meaning, often suggesting a sense of wisdom or understanding. Example: "As she listened to the heartfelt story, a profound smile spread across her face, reflecting her empathy and connection to the speaker."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Messe and "In nativitatem" each ended not with a bang, but with a gentle, profound smile.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Patiently enduring the indignities his life entails, his wistful one-eyed gaze gradually becomes a smile of profound contentment when his little human takes him on holiday and he discovers there's more to life than being hung out to dry on a clothes line.

The Guardian

I stood in awe and wonder, reverence and astonishment, elation and perplexity; a profound sadness and an irresistible smile of infinite joy took possession of me simultaneously in a moment that seemed to last for ever.

Independent

Be loved grandfather and greatgrandfather, father, husband, teacher and friend will be remembered for his contagious smile and energy, unwavering principles, profound sense of justice, unequivocal commitment to activism, and open and welcoming heart.

The New York Times

Zhang Yun Ying is a perfect specimen of grandmother, with bright white hair and profound wrinkles that get better when she smiles.

Huffington Post

Do they "need" to dine at expensive restaurants like Per Se, which according to The New York Times "can instantaneously bring a crazy smile to your face" and "a profound sense of peace"?

The New York Times

The half-smile that flickers on her lips implies a profound wisdom about the things that really matter when you're a certain age (Ms. Stewart is 75), most of all time and memory.

The New York Times - Arts

Those of us who shared in the pleasure of Bernie's quick smile, loving kindness, and wise counsel, know too well the profound sadness that his passing brings to his adoring family.

The New York Times

They stood around smiling and waiting for me to say something special, something profound.

The New Yorker

Her smiles were more tender, her kisses sweeter, her words more profound.

Huffington Post

Although he may have flashed his toothy smile a little too often and unctuously praised his interviewers for their profound insights, his assertive optimism was welcomed by television outlets eager to expound on the new tech economy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound smile" to describe a smile that reflects deep understanding, emotion, or wisdom, particularly in narrative or descriptive writing to add depth to a character's expression.

Common error

Avoid using "profound smile" to describe everyday smiles or in situations where the depth of emotion is not genuinely present. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound smile" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "profound" modifies the noun "smile". According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is used to describe a smile that carries a significant depth of emotion or meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "profound smile" is a grammatically sound adjective-noun combination used to describe a smile with significant depth of emotion or meaning. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceptionally common, as reflected by its rare frequency, its purpose is to convey that the smile is more than superficial, representing a deeper internal state. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is best employed in descriptive or narrative writing where you aim to add emotional weight to a character's expression, while avoiding overuse in simplistic situations. Alternatives like "meaningful smile" or "deep smile" can also effectively convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningful smile

Replaces "profound" with "meaningful", focusing on the significance of the smile.

deep smile

Substitutes "profound" with "deep", emphasizing the emotional depth of the smile.

knowing smile

Implies the smile reflects understanding or awareness of something significant.

thoughtful smile

Suggests the smile is accompanied by deep thought or contemplation.

insightful smile

Highlights the smile as indicative of wisdom or insight.

empathetic smile

Focuses on the smile as conveying empathy or understanding of another's feelings.

serene smile

Emphasizes the peaceful and calm nature of the smile.

contented smile

Indicates the smile reflects a state of satisfaction and happiness.

expressive smile

Highlights the smile's ability to convey a range of emotions.

poignant smile

Suggests the smile is tinged with sadness or longing.

FAQs

What does "profound smile" mean?

A "profound smile" suggests a smile that conveys deep emotion, understanding, or wisdom. It's more than just a simple expression; it indicates a significant internal state.

What can I say instead of "profound smile"?

You can use alternatives like "meaningful smile", "deep smile", or "knowing smile" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "profound smile"?

It's best to use "profound smile" when describing a character's expression in literature or narrative writing, particularly when you want to convey depth of feeling or understanding. It's also suitable in descriptive contexts where you're highlighting the emotional weight of a smile.

Is "profound smile" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "profound smile" is not a particularly common expression. It's more frequently found in literary or descriptive contexts where the writer aims to convey significant emotion. Using it sparingly can make its impact more noticeable.