What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
leer
Example
The man gave her a leer that made her feel uneasy. [leer: noun]
Example
He leered at her suggestively, making her feel uncomfortable. [leered: verb]
grin
Example
She grinned from ear to ear when she saw her best friend. [grinned: verb]
Example
He had a big grin on his face when he won the game. [grin: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grin is more commonly used than leer in everyday language. Grin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while leer is less common and typically used in negative or uncomfortable situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between leer and grin?
While grin is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, leer is more formal and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts, but with negative connotations.
