smith
smihth
Smith (noun) means a craftsperson who shapes metal by hammering, especially a blacksmith. Example: “The smith heated the iron bar until it glowed bright orange.”
noun
1
A craftsperson who shapes metal by hammering, especially a blacksmith.
"The smith heated the iron bar until it glowed bright orange."
"Tourists watched a smith make a gate at the heritage museum."
"The village smith repaired horseshoes and tools."
verb
1
To forge or shape metal by heating and hammering it.
"Apprentices smith simple hooks before they move on to larger tools."
"She smiths knives by hand in a small workshop behind her house."
"He learned to smith iron at a traditional forge."
How to use smith
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who works metal into tools or shapes using heat and a hammer.
Common pairings
blacksmith
silversmith
goldsmith
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Word forms
- Plural
- smiths
- Third person singular
- smiths
- Past tense
- smithed
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The _____ heated the iron bar until it glowed bright orange.
Etymology
From Old English smiþ, "smith," from a Proto-Germanic root possibly meaning "to smear or spread" — the same root also gave English words related to smearing metal into shape.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for smith
See all rhymes for smith →Frequently asked questions
What does “smith” mean?
The word “smith” means a craftsperson who shapes metal by hammering, especially a blacksmith. In plain terms, someone who works metal into tools or shapes using heat and a hammer.
How do you pronounce “smith”?
“Smith” is pronounced smihth (/smɪθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “smith” in a sentence?
Here is “smith” used in a sentence: “The village smith repaired horseshoes and tools.”
What is another word for “smith”?
Words with a similar meaning to “smith” include metalsmith.
What part of speech is “smith”?
Depending on how it is used, “smith” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “smith” come from?
The word “smith” comes from Old English. From Old English smiþ, "smith," from a Proto-Germanic root possibly meaning "to smear or spread" — the same root also gave English words related to smearing metal into shape.
Is “smith” a common word?
“Smith” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “smith” have?
“Smith” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a craftsperson who shapes metal by hammering, especially a blacksmith.
What is the difference between a smith and a blacksmith?
'Smith' is a general term for anyone who shapes metal, while a blacksmith works specifically with iron and steel — the 'black' metals that darken when heated. So every blacksmith is a smith, but a smith might instead work with gold, silver, or other metals.
What are the different types of smith?
The type is usually named after the metal or product. A goldsmith and silversmith work precious metals, a coppersmith works copper, and a gunsmith makes and repairs firearms. A locksmith handles locks, a bladesmith forges knives, and a farrier shoes horses. The blacksmith remains the most familiar.
What does a smith do?
A smith shapes metal into useful objects, traditionally by heating it in a forge until it softens, then hammering it against an anvil. They make and repair tools, weapons, hardware, and decorative ironwork. The craft combines physical strength with precise control of heat and form.
Why is Smith such a common surname?
Smith is an occupational surname, taken from the once-widespread trade of metalworking. Nearly every village needed a smith to make tools, horseshoes, and nails, so the name arose independently in many places. As a result, Smith became one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world.
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