smooth

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h How to pronounce smooth (audio)
Synonyms of smoothnext
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

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Returning from larger stomping grounds to run one of the state’s most diverse cities is not always the smoothest transition, political experts have said. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 Trump thanked President Joe Biden for a smooth transition of power during their White House meeting. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
It’s made with a sugar and coconut oil blend to smooth and moisturize after gently exfoliating your scalp or body. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 The speaker grille on the Super Linton has an improved design with internal shaping to smooth the power output of the midrange and treble units while enhancing the transition through the crossover region. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
Fenty Beauty's amplifying eye primer, $22, smooths lids for better blending and longer, crease-proof wear. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024 Formulated for dry skin types, this hydrating cream smooths your roughest parts while being light and fast-absorbing enough for your face. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for smooth 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of smooth was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing smooth

Dictionary Entries Near smooth

Smoot

smooth

smooth alder

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Smooth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smooth. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

smooth

1 of 2 adjective
ˈsmüt͟h How to pronounce smooth (audio)
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 How to pronounce smooth (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on smooth

Nglish: Translation of smooth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of smooth for Arabic Speakers

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