facial expression
Look on face
The visible configuration of facial muscles that conveys emotion or reaction.
A facial expression may be voluntary or involuntary—a deliberate smile for a photograph versus an instinctive wince of pain.
Reading facial expressions is fundamental to human communication: Her facial expression told me everything I needed to know.
The face can express joy, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and countless subtler states.
Pleased facial expression
Brief one-eyed closure
- blinkRapid lid movement
- squintPartly close eyes
- eyebrow raiseUpward facial arc gesture
- jaw dropShocked facial expression
eye roll · nose wrinkle · lip curl · head tilt · brow furrow · gape · yawn · twitch
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
astonishment · bewilderment · startle · stunned · dumbfounded · aghast · flabbergasted · wide-eyed
Not using speech
- conveyanceTransfer of property rights
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- microexpressionMomentary involuntary face signal
- cueTrigger for action
tell · body language · readable · telegraphing · emoting · mugging · pantomime · silent film
Face or expression
- visageFace or expression
- mienManner reflecting character
- aspectFeature or dimension
- lookDirect one's gaze
impassive · stoic · poker-faced · blank · inscrutable · vacant · deadpan · phlegmatic
smile
Pleased facial expression
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- scowlAngry facial expression
grin · pout · sneer · wince · smirk · glare · beam · leer · snarl · simper
wink
Brief one-eyed closure
- blinkRapid lid movement
- squintPartly close eyes
- eyebrow raiseUpward facial arc gesture
jaw drop · eye roll · nose wrinkle · lip curl · head tilt · brow furrow · gape · yawn · twitch · flutter
surprise
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
horror · astonishment · bewilderment · startle · stunned · dumbfounded · aghast · flabbergasted · wide-eyed · speechless
nonverbal
Not using speech
- conveyanceTransfer of property rights
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- microexpressionMomentary involuntary face signal
cue · tell · body language · readable · telegraphing · emoting · mugging · pantomime · silent film · FACS
countenance
Face or expression
look · impassive · stoic · poker-faced · blank · inscrutable · vacant · deadpan · phlegmatic · detached
- behavioral cuesbody language, eye contact, posture, gestures, tone of voice
- emotional responsestone of voice, temper tantrum, mood swing, silent treatment, cold shoulder
- physical presencebody language, posture, eye contact, handshake, hug
- audio descriptionmovement tracking, visual cues, body language
- stage presencepresence, charisma, confidence, poise, composure
- communicationtelephone, conversation, inform, hand signal, messages
facial expressionbody language
Unspoken physical expression
hand gesture · gesture · posture · body posture · gait
facial expressionverbal communication
Exchange through spoken language
spoken word · speech · written language · words · vocalization
facial expressionpoker face
Intentionally expressionless look
blank stare · deadpan · blank face · stone face · blank expression
face, expression, expressive, facial, expressionless, expressiveness, inexpressible, unexpressive, expressively