smooth

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h 

1

a(1)

: having a continuous even surface

(2)

of a curve : being the representation of a function with a continuous first derivative

(3)

: having or being a short even coat of hair

a smooth collie

compare rough, wirehaired

b

: being without hair

c

: glabrous

a smooth leaf

d

: causing no resistance to sliding

2

: free from difficulties or impediments

the smooth course of his life

3

: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight

4

: excessively and often artfully suave : ingratiating

a smooth operator

5

a

: serene, equable

a smooth disposition

b

: amiable, courteous

6

a

: not sharp or harsh

a smooth sherry

b

: free from lumps

smooth adverb

smoothly adverb

smoothness noun

smooth

2 of 3

verb

smoothed; smoothing; smooths also smoothes

transitive verb

1

: to make smooth

2

a

: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish

smoothed out his style

b

: soothe

3

: to minimize (something, such as a fault) especially in order to allay anger or ill will

his main job is to smooth over the friction that so often arises

—Brian Crozier

4

: to free from obstruction or difficulty

conciliation smoothed the way to an agreement

5

a

: to press flat

smoothed down the folds of her dress

b

: to remove expression from (one's face) : compose

6

: to cause to lie evenly and in order : preen

a bird smoothing its feathers

7

: to free (a graph, a collection of data, etc.) from irregularities

intransitive verb

: to become smooth

smoother noun

smooth

3 of 3

noun

1

: a smooth part

2

: the act of smoothing

3

: a smoothing implement

Synonyms

Adjective

• debonair
• sophisticated
• suave
• svelte
• urbane

Verb

• ease
• facilitate
• grease
• loosen (up)
• unclog

Choose the Right Synonym for smooth

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities.

level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

easy, facile, simple, light, effortless, smooth mean not demanding effort or involving difficulty.

easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

suave, urbane, diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered.

suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

Examples of smooth in a Sentence

Adjective

They groomed the ski trail so it was smooth.

The river rocks had been worn smooth by the water.

Whisk the flour into the gravy until it is smooth.

The milkshake was smooth and creamy.

With the aid of observers, the election process was a smooth one.

Our trip was smooth and uneventful.

the smooth movements of a swimmer

She has a nice, smooth golf swing.

His new car has a smooth ride.

Our flight was very smooth.

Verb

He smoothed his tie and headed out the door.

The coin's date had been smoothed away over time.

Smooth the cream on after your shower.

Smooth the wax over the wood before polishing.

She smoothed on some moisturizer before she put on her makeup.

He smoothed ointment over the cut.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ryan Rollins delivered a perfect entry pass, and Portis spun over his right shoulder to knock down a smooth 12-foot turnaround jumper. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

This creamy leave-in is formulated to deeply nourish, smooth, and strengthen, making heat styling less of a battle. —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024

Verb

In a culture where formal niceties smooth many interactions, Mr. Emanuel was blunt and dogged. —Motoko Rich, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024

This formula has a rich, creamy consistency that provides a burst of hydration that smooths and nourishes the under-eye area. —Jessie Quinn, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Noun

Their single vineyard malbec wines, in particular, are exceptional and their use of chardonnay is quite versatile from smooth and buttery to crisp and un-oaked. —Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

The first is the IF camera which captures 80 x 60-pixel images and then combines them with the second camera, which grabs a higher resolution image of visible light, which the device smooths and scales up to a nice, pretty clear, 1,440 x 1,080-pixel image. —Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English smothe, from Old English smōth; akin to Old Saxon smōthi smooth

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing smooth

• (as) smooth as silk
• smooth a path
• smooth away
• smooth breathing
• smooth fox terrier
• smooth hound
• smooth muscle
• smooth operator
• smooth out
• smooth over
• smooth sailing
• smooth talker
• smooth-talking
• smooth the way
• smooth things out
• smooth-tongued
• take the rough with the smooth

Kids Definition

smooth

1 of 2 adjective

ˈsmüt͟h 

1

a

: having a continuous even surface : not rough

a smooth skin

b

: not hairy

2

: free from obstacles or difficulties

a smooth path

3

: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight

4

: flattering but not truthfully so

a smooth talker

5

a

: calm in manner or behavior : serene

a smooth disposition

b

: amiable, courteous

6

: not sharp or harsh

a smooth sherry

smoothly adverb

smoothness noun

smooth

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make smooth

smooth the edge of a board

2

a

: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish

smoothed out my style

b

: to make calm : soothe

3

: to make (as a fault) seem of little importance in order to avoid bad feelings

smoothed things over with apologies

4

: to free from trouble or difficulty

smoothed the way for a quick end to the dispute

5

: to press flat

smoothed down the folds of the tablecloth

6

: to cause to lie evenly and in order : preen

smooths down its feathers

smoother noun

Medical Definition

smooth

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h 

: forming or being a colony with a flat shiny surface usually made up of organisms that form no chains or filaments, show characteristic internal changes, and tend toward marked increase in capsule formation and virulence

—used of dissociated strains of bacteria compare rough