all smiles

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Looking very happy and friendly, especially in a way that is easy for others to notice.

   Grammar: Used after linking verbs such as be, look, or seem; it describes the subject, not an action.

   Patterns

   • be all smiles
   • look all smiles
   • seem all smiles

   When she came back from her trip, she was all smiles.

   The team looked all smiles after winning the final.

   He seemed all smiles at the party, even though he was tired.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasedisapproving

   Behaving in a cheerful, pleasant way in order to hide true feelings or to make a good impression.

   Grammar: Often suggests the happiness is put on for show; it can be used with a slightly critical or knowing tone.

   Patterns

   • be all smiles with someone
   • be all smiles about something

   She was all smiles with the customers, but complained about them later.

   He was all smiles about the deal, though I knew he had doubts.

Common combinations

be all smiles

She was all smiles when she heard the good news.

look all smiles

He looked all smiles as he walked onto the stage.

suddenly all smiles

The baby was crying, then suddenly all smiles.

all smiles again

After they made up, they were all smiles again.

Synonyms and how they differ

beaming

Beaming means smiling widely with real happiness and is usually a temporary expression on the face; all smiles describes a whole manner or mood that others can see.

cheerful

Cheerful is a more general, lasting quality of being happy; all smiles suggests a visible, often immediate display of friendliness.

grinning

Grinning focuses on a broad smile itself, not on the overall friendly impression; all smiles can include a warm attitude without a big grin.

Opposites

Commonly confused: all smiles or all smile?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “all smiles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words