smash
smash
Smash (noun) means the loud sound of a violent collision or impact. Example: “We heard a terrible smash from the street and rushed to the window.”
noun
1
The loud sound of a violent collision or impact.
"We heard a terrible smash from the street and rushed to the window."
"The smash of the falling shelves woke everyone in the house."
"There was a loud smash as the vase hit the floor."
2
Something enormously successful and popular.
"Their first album was a smash, and the band toured for a year."
"Everyone says the new musical is going to be a huge smash."
"The film was an instant box office smash."
verb
1
To break something violently into pieces.
"Be careful not to smash the glasses when you carry them out."
"He dropped the tray and watched the plates smash on the tiles."
"The ball smashed the window on the first pitch."
2
To defeat someone overwhelmingly.
"Our chess club smashed the visiting team in every single game."
"If we play like this, they will smash us easily."
"The home team smashed their rivals 6-0."
How to use smash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break something violently, or (as a noun) a huge hit or success.
Common pairings
smash hit
smash into pieces
smash the competition
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Word forms
- Plural
- smashes
- Third person singular
- smashes
- Past tense
- smashed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We heard a terrible _____ from the street and rushed to the window.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, likely imitative of the sound itself — similar to Swedish and Danish words describing smacking or kissing sounds made with the lips.
Related words
Rhymes for smash
See all rhymes for smash →Frequently asked questions
What does “smash” mean?
The word “smash” means the loud sound of a violent collision or impact. In plain terms, to break something violently, or (as a noun) a huge hit or success.
How do you pronounce “smash”?
“Smash” is pronounced smash (/smæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “smash” in a sentence?
Here is “smash” used in a sentence: “There was a loud smash as the vase hit the floor.”
What is another word for “smash”?
Words with a similar meaning to “smash” include thump, wallop, go to bed with and sleep with.
What part of speech is “smash”?
Depending on how it is used, “smash” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “smash” come from?
The word “smash” comes from Swedish. Origin uncertain, likely imitative of the sound itself — similar to Swedish and Danish words describing smacking or kissing sounds made with the lips.
Is “smash” a common word?
“Smash” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “smash” have?
“Smash” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the loud sound of a violent collision or impact.
What is the difference between smash and break?
Break is the general word for separating into pieces, while smash means to break something violently, usually into many pieces and with noise. A plate can break in two if dropped gently; it smashes when it is hurled at a wall.
What is the difference between smash and crash?
A crash is primarily a violent collision or the loud noise of one, as in a car crash. A smash emphasises breaking into pieces; as a sound, it is the noise of something shattering on impact. The two overlap, and "car smash" is also used, chiefly in British English.
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