What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rictus
Example
The clown's painted-on smile was frozen in a rictus of terror. [rictus: noun]
Example
She tried to hide her pain, but her face was twisted in a rictus of agony. [rictus: adjective]
grin
Example
He couldn't help but grin when he saw his old friend after so many years. [grin: verb]
Example
She flashed a quick grin before turning back to her work. [grin: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grin is more commonly used than rictus in everyday language. Grin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rictus is less common and often used in specific situations where a fixed or unnatural expression is required.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rictus and grin?
While rictus is typically associated with a formal or medical tone, grin is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
