reflective smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reflective smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that indicates deep thought, contemplation, or introspection. Example: "As she gazed out at the sunset, a reflective smile crossed her face, revealing her thoughts about the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ewing sat down, looked again at his new No. 33 jersey and gave a reflective smile.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rather, the quiet smile, reflective, born out of looking over his life and times; a smile tinged with a hint of mischievousness for having beaten the odds, cheated the hangman and knowing he had helped make South Africa and the world a better place.

Independent

Returning was the emotional player who put his index finger next to his lips, quieting a smiling and reflective Spike Lee after dropping in a 3-pointer from the right wing.

The New York Times - Sports

His cheeky T-shirt slogans and reflective tartan are putting a smile on the face of fashion.

Independent

Summers, wearing protective goggles and a yellow reflective vest over his suit, smiled and momentarily basked in the glow of gratitude that is familiar to a politician but rare for a White House economist.

The New Yorker

And here came the Japanese, resourceful, skilled, with their coach smiling peacefully — like a wise, reflective mask in a Japanese Noh theater drama — as they broke the huddle to take penalty kicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Although I sat 6,000 miles away in another hemisphere, I could almost hear the smile in his voice and see the reflective look in his eyes.

Huffington Post

They seemed to have it all: gallons of product in their hair, makeup caked on their smiling faces, and uniforms adorned with enough reflective matter to make a Vegas showgirl blush.

The New York Times - Sports

Hicks, who delivered his monologue dressed not in his usual gunslinger black but in "bright fall colors — an outfit bought just for the show and reflective of my bright and cheerful mood," seemed to have a lot to smile about.

The New Yorker

"But if I'm feeling insecure, the smiles and politeness get upped a notch, and maybe that isn't totally reflective of how I'm feeling on the inside.

The Guardian - Film

Reflective but never dour, and serious about staying hopeful, Aterciopelados proposes "a bombardment of love/attack of laughter/invasion of smiles".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reflective smile" to describe a smile that expresses thoughtfulness, contemplation, or introspection. It's best suited when you want to convey a sense of inner musing or quiet understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "reflective smile" too frequently in dialogue descriptions. Overuse can make characters seem overly introspective or detached, which can hinder the flow of the narrative. Instead, vary your descriptions with other expressions or focus on actions and thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflective smile" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "reflective" modifies the noun "smile". This combination serves to paint a more detailed picture of the emotion or state behind the smile. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable term.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reflective smile" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon phrase used to describe a smile tinged with thoughtfulness or introspection. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While its frequency is low, its use in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian suggests it has a place in formal and informal writing. When using "reflective smile", consider the specific nuances you want to convey and explore alternative phrases like "thoughtful grin" or "contemplative smile" to ensure the best fit for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thoughtful grin

Emphasizes the gentle and quiet nature of the smile, highlighting a moment of reflection.

contemplative smile

Highlights the element of pondering and deep thinking behind the smile.

introspective smile

Focuses on the inward-looking nature of the smile, suggesting a moment of self-reflection.

pensive smile

Implies a smile tinged with thoughtfulness, possibly mixed with a hint of sadness.

wistful smile

Suggests a smile colored by longing or a sense of nostalgia.

knowing smile

Implies the smile is a result of some inner knowledge or realization.

quiet smile

Emphasizes the subtlety and understated nature of the smile during a reflective moment.

inner smile

Suggests a smile that is felt internally, perhaps not fully expressed outwardly.

deep smile

Suggests a smile that conveys profound emotion or understanding.

reserved smile

Focuses on the restrained nature of the smile, hinting at a more profound internal state.

FAQs

What does "reflective smile" mean?

A "reflective smile" describes a smile that indicates deep thought, contemplation, or introspection. It suggests the person is smiling because of something they're thinking about.

What can I say instead of "reflective smile"?

You can use alternatives like "thoughtful grin", "contemplative smile", or "pensive smile" depending on the context.

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

You can use "reflective smile" to describe a character's expression, such as, "As she gazed at the old photograph, a "reflective smile" crossed her lips."

Is "reflective smile" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "reflective smile" isn't as common as simpler alternatives. Consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing between "reflective smile" and other phrases.