He smiled in contentment.

Meaning: This means he formed a smile because he was feeling happy and satisfied.

Choice of Words: Smiled means formed a smile, and contentment means a state of happiness or satisfaction.

Alternative Expressions

He smiled contentedly.

Meaning: This means the same as the first sentence. It's another way to say that the person is happy and satisfied with something. It's like saying, He was happy and showed it with a smile.

Choice of Words: He refers to a specific male person. Smiled means to express happiness or amusement by forming a smile with the mouth. Contentedly is an adverb that means in a contented manner. When you put them together, "He smiled contentedly" describes a male person expressing happiness or amusement while feeling satisfied and happy.

A smile of contentment crossed his face.

Meaning: This means the same as the first two sentences. It's another way to say that the person is happy and satisfied with something. It's like saying, He was happy and you could see it in his smile.

Choice of Words: A indicates that there was one smile. Smile means to express happiness or amusement by forming a smile with the mouth. Of indicates that the smile is related to contentment. Contentment is a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. Crossed means to move over or across something. His refers to the male person. Face refers to the front of the head where the eyes, nose, and mouth are located. When you put them together, "A smile of contentment crossed his face" describes a smile that appeared on a male person's face, indicating that he was feeling satisfied and happy.

Related Expressions