What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smirked
Example
He smirked when he heard the news. [smirked: verb]
Example
She gave him a smirk before walking away. [smirk: noun]
smile
Example
She smiled at the children playing in the park. [smiled: verb]
Example
He had a big smile on his face when he won the game. [smile: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smile is more commonly used than smirked in everyday language. Smile is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while smirked is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smirked and smile?
While smile can be used in both formal and informal contexts, smirked is typically associated with a casual and informal tone and is not appropriate for formal situations.
