The focus of this post is on how to describe a smile in a story. Scroll down to get ideas on how the following 10 words can be used to describe smiles on the characters in your novel.
1. Creepy
Definition
Something that leaves you feeling frightened or nervous.
Examples
“The unknown man removed his mask to show the audience a creepy smile.”
“Ellie always thought clowns had creepy smiles, and whenever she saw one, she had to avert her eyes.”
How it Adds Description
Though smiles are usually a positive thing, sometimes they can be slightly scary and make you feel afraid, and thus you can call them “creepy.” A character with a “creepy” smile might make others feel uneasy, and it’s a trait that’s often associated with villains or antagonists.
2. Toothy
Definition
A smile that shows a lot of teeth.
Examples
“When Benny’s front teeth finally grew in, he never stopped smiling. To his parent’s joy, he had a toothy smile 24/7.”
“Amanda knew her toothy smile wasn’t the most beautiful, but it didn’t bother her.”
How it Adds Description
You can use “toothy” to describe a smile where the character’s teeth are very visible. This could be because their teeth are larger or stick out, or it could simply describe an extra wide smile where more teeth are on show. Some characters might be insecure about their “toothy” smile, especially if others comment on it.
3. Huge
Definition
Something very large in size.
Examples
“The elephant’s huge smile surprised the zoo visitors. No one realized the gentle giants were capable of showing such human emotion.”
“Girls, remember to show the school photographer a huge smile! We don’t want frowning in photos like last year.”
How it Adds Description
“Huge” can be used to show that the character has a big smile on their face. A “huge” smile can show they’re extremely happy or excited. It can also be used to show they have a larger mouth, and thus, the “huge” smile is a direct description of their facial feature.
4. Menacing
Definition
Someone who looks dangerous or frightening.
Examples
“The robber had a menacing smile on his face as he stole the money.”
“Timothy couldn’t sleep for days after seeing the murderer’s menacing smile.”
How it Adds Description
If a smile is “menacing,” it will likely make other characters feel scared or anxious. This is because it implies that the smiling character might be dangerous or do something to cause harm. A character with a “menacing” smile is more likely to be a villain or a nasty character.
5. Stunning
Definition
Something that’s impressive or beautiful.
Examples
“The queen’s stunning smile always delighted her people.”
“As the models practiced their stunning smiles in the mirror, the photographer started to set up his camera.”
How it Adds Description
You can use “stunning” to describe a particularly beautiful smile. If a character has a “stunning” smile, it might frequently catch other people’s attention, and they’re likely to be considered good-looking. This could consequently make them a popular character.
6. Radiant
Definition
Something that glows or shines brightly.
Examples
“Belle’s radiant smile always lit up the room.”
“Andrew always spent ten minutes brushing his teeth every morning. He wanted to ensure his smile was as radiant as possible.”
How it Adds Description
“Radiant” implies that the character’s smile is very bright and attractive, which can further imply that they take good care of their teeth and are in good health. Characters with a “radiant” smile might take great care of their appearance, and this might mean that they’re more high-maintenance than others.
7. Fake
Definition
Something that’s not genuine or deceives people.
Examples
“Fern shot her younger brother a fake smile to appease her mother.”
“The school yearbook was full of fake smiles and teenage acne.”
How it Adds Description
Not all smiles show genuine happiness, and you can convey a deceiving smile through the adjective “fake.” This shows that the smiling character’s intentions don’t match their cheery expression. Characters who use “fake” smiles might resist showing their genuine emotions, making them quite manipulative. Perceptive characters will notice if a character is “fake” smiling.
8. Subtle
Definition
Something not noticeable or obvious.
Examples
“When her boss turned away, Jenny subtly smiled. She didn’t want to be caught laughing at the team’s misfortune.”
“Frederick had a subtle smile on his face when his A+ grades were read out in class.”
How it Adds Description
A “subtle” smile is a low-key smile that no one notices or is meant to be hidden from others. This could be because the character might get in trouble for laughing or smiling, or it could be them trying to keep their emotions hidden from others. In contrast, a “subtle” smile could also indicate that the character is happy but not overjoyed, as they aren’t offering a full smile.
9. Ecstatic
Definition
To be very excited or extremely happy.
Examples
“The man had an ecstatic smile on his face when his lottery numbers were read out.”
“Clementine couldn’t wipe the ecstatic smile off her face once she realized she’d gotten into university.”
How it Adds Description
If you want to show a character is overjoyed, enthusiastic, or extremely happy, an “ecstatic” smile can indicate these emotions. When a character has an “ecstatic” smile, they’re likely feeling a rush of positive emotions, and they might be unable to hide them. Sometimes, an “ecstatic” smile can be infectious, and therefore, other characters will also feel overjoyed.
10. Tearful
Definition
When someone’s voice or face shows that they’re about to cry or have cried.
Examples
“Patrick had a tearful smile on his face as he waved goodbye to his father. It was a bittersweet moment.”
“Hannah saw her mother’s tearful smile as she walked across the graduation stage. It made the moment even more special.”
How it Adds Description
“Tearful” shows that the character’s smile is combined with tears or that they’re about to cry. This can be due to both happiness or sadness, and therefore, you can use “tearful” to describe smiles in positive and negative moments. If a character has a “tearful” smile, they might be more at peace with showing their emotions than more reserved characters.