quick smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quick smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that is brief or fleeting, often conveying friendliness or warmth in a short moment. Example: "She greeted him with a quick smile before continuing on her way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He looked up with a quick smile.

The New York Times - Food

"He always had a quick smile, a kind word.

Independent

Mike Jackson? "Yes," he says with a quick smile.

The Guardian - Film

The woman with the quick smile didn't like being alone.

The Washington Post

Alvarenga cracked a quick smile and waved to the cameras.

The Guardian

A nod, a quick smile, a look away.

The New York Times

"All the time," he said with a quick smile.

The New York Times - Travel

He smiled a quick smile and immediately resumed his excited monologue.

The New Yorker

He has blond eyebrows, a quick smile, mussed hair the color of hay.

The New Yorker

She gave me a quick smile, then turned her gaze back to Terri.

The New Yorker

Ms. Garcia and Mr. Paglia flashed each other a quick smile.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quick smile" to describe a smile that appears briefly, often conveying a sense of politeness, amusement, or warmth without prolonged engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "quick smile" when describing a genuine, heartfelt smile that lasts for more than a few seconds. The word "quick" implies brevity, so it's unsuitable for describing a smile that lingers or reflects deep emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick smile" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective ("quick"). It describes a specific type of smile characterized by its short duration. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its use in describing facial expressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quick smile" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a brief or fleeting smile. As Ludwig AI points out, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to convey a polite, perfunctory, or reserved emotion. While alternatives such as "brief smile" or "fleeting smile" exist, "quick smile" effectively communicates a smile's transient nature. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for smiles that are genuinely short in duration, avoiding its application to heartfelt, lingering expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief smile

Emphasizes the short duration of the smile.

fleeting smile

Highlights the transient nature of the smile.

rapid smile

Focuses on the speed with which the smile appears and disappears.

swift smile

Similar to rapid, stressing the promptness of the smile.

passing smile

Indicates the smile is not lingering or deeply felt.

slight smile

Describes the smile as being subtle and not overly pronounced.

small smile

Like slight, implies a restrained or modest smile.

momentary smile

Stresses the very short duration of the smile.

faint smile

Suggests the smile is barely perceptible.

forced smile

Implies the smile is not genuine or heartfelt.

FAQs

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

You can use "quick smile" to describe someone's fleeting expression. For example, "She gave a "quick smile" as she passed by" or "He offered a "quick smile" to acknowledge the compliment".

What are some alternatives to "quick smile"?

Alternatives include "brief smile", "fleeting smile", or "passing smile", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "quick smile" formal or informal?

"Quick smile" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

How does a "quick smile" differ from a genuine smile?

A "quick smile" implies brevity and may not reflect deep emotion, whereas a genuine smile typically lasts longer and expresses true happiness or amusement. Genuine smiles often involve the eyes, while a "quick smile" might be more perfunctory.