triumphant grin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "triumphant grin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that conveys a sense of victory or achievement, often in a context where someone has succeeded or overcome a challenge. Example: "After winning the championship, she wore a triumphant grin that lit up her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Witnesses said that after the tray hit Jimmy, Fahri swaggered from the shop with a triumphant grin on his face.

Independent

THE BUZZ -- The first to finish was Richard Vindigni, who walked into the hallway with a triumphant grin.

The New York Times

"Sweden has gone from bad boy to poster boy in five years," he says with a triumphant grin.

The Guardian - Tech

Her timetable was disrupted by the sight of Nigel Farage's triumphant grin, beamed across the Atlantic from the golden portal of Trumpland.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the end, with a wide, almost triumphant grin, he declared, "The work you are doing exceeds the amount of calories you take in.

The New Yorker

Sprawling across eight episodes, it ends with a freeze-frame of his triumphant grin, in 1939, as he is admitted to the wartime Cabinet.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He grins, triumphant.

The Guardian

It must be said that this sadness cannot help but be enhanced by the presence of Brookstein, simply because even when he was winning the X Factor and having a grinning, triumphant Simon Cowell put his arm around him, he just happened to have the shape and demeanour of someone for whom things always go wrong.

The Guardian - Music

"What?" Douglas couldn't keep the grin, the old, triumphant sass, off his face.

The New Yorker

To rub salt in wounds, the Australian has updated his MySpace page to describe his mood as "triumphant", alongside a slightly sinister grinning green face.

The Guardian - Business

At the Putin-led United Russia party conference, Medvedev endorsed Putin's triumphant return; the two men hugged, Medvedev's grin, admittedly, somewhat strained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "triumphant grin" to vividly depict a character's emotion after a significant success or achievement, enhancing the narrative's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "triumphant grin" to describe minor accomplishments. Reserve it for situations where a genuine sense of victory or overcoming adversity is present to maintain its intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "triumphant grin" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "triumphant" modifies the noun "grin". According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and appropriate in the English language. It serves to describe a specific type of smile associated with victory or success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "triumphant grin" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a smile expressing victory or achievement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. The phrase serves to vividly depict a character's emotion, and it is advised to be reserved for situations where a genuine sense of triumph is present. Consider using alternatives like "victorious smile" or "exultant smile" for similar effect. While generally neutral in tone, being mindful of overusing it is essential, and be especially aware of the subtle difference between "triumphant grin" and "smug grin".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

victorious smile

Replaces "triumphant" with "victorious", focusing on the victory aspect.

exultant smile

Uses "exultant" to emphasize the joy and excitement of the victory.

gleeful smile

Highlights the happiness and joy associated with the triumph.

elated grin

Similar to gleeful, but emphasizes a greater level of excitement and joy.

winning smile

A more casual way to express a smile that signifies success.

proud smile

Suggests that the smile stems from a sense of pride in one's accomplishment.

smug grin

Implies a sense of self-satisfaction, sometimes to an excessive degree.

contented smile

Implies a quiet satisfaction with the outcome.

self-satisfied smile

Explicitly describes the smile as stemming from one's own satisfaction.

knowing grin

Suggests the person has secret information or anticipated the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "triumphant grin" in a sentence?

The phrase "triumphant grin" describes a smile expressing joy and satisfaction from a victory. For example: "After securing the deal, she flashed a /s/triumphant+grin to her team."

What's a good alternative to "triumphant grin"?

You can use alternatives like "/s/victorious+smile" or "/s/exultant+smile" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the nuance you want to express.

Is it appropriate to use "triumphant grin" in formal writing?

While "triumphant grin" is acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider using a more subdued alternative such as "/s/self-satisfied+smile" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "triumphant grin" and "smug grin"?

"Triumphant grin" expresses joy over legitimate success, while "/s/smug+grin" suggests excessive self-satisfaction, often implying arrogance or superiority.