smooth
smooth
Smooth (adjective) means having an even surface, free of bumps or roughness. Example: “The table had a smooth, polished finish.”
adjective
1
Having an even surface, free of bumps or roughness.
"The table had a smooth, polished finish."
"The pebbles from the beach were cool and smooth in her hand."
"Cyclists prefer the smooth new road to the old bumpy one."
2
Happening without difficulty or interruption.
"The move went off without a hitch — a smooth transition."
"We had a smooth journey home and arrived earlier than expected."
"The meeting was smooth and finished well before lunch."
3
Charming and persuasive, sometimes suspiciously so.
"He was a smooth talker who could sell anything."
"The smooth salesman flattered everyone in the shop before offering a special deal."
"I did not trust the smooth stranger who promised to double my savings."
verb
1
To make something even, flat, or easier.
"She smoothed the wrinkles out of the tablecloth."
"The mediator helped smooth things over between them."
"He smoothed the sand flat before building the castle."
How to use smooth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEven and free of roughness, or (figuratively) trouble-free, or charmingly persuasive.
Common pairings
smooth surface
smooth talker
smooth things over
smooth sailing
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Word forms
- Plural
- smooths
- Third person singular
- smooths
- Past tense
- smoothed
- Comparative
- smoother
- Superlative
- smoothest
- Verb form
- smoothe
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The table had a _____, polished finish.
Etymology
From Old English smēþe, "smooth," of unknown deeper origin.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for smooth
See all rhymes for smooth →Frequently asked questions
What does “smooth” mean?
The word “smooth” means having an even surface, free of bumps or roughness. In plain terms, even and free of roughness, or (figuratively) trouble-free, or charmingly persuasive.
How do you pronounce “smooth”?
“Smooth” is pronounced smooth (/smuːð/ in IPA).
How do you use “smooth” in a sentence?
Here is “smooth” used in a sentence: “The table had a smooth, polished finish.”
What is another word for “smooth”?
Words with a similar meaning to “smooth” include downy, flat, frictionless, lanate, level and silken.
What is the opposite of “smooth”?
The opposite of “smooth” — its antonyms — are rough, uneven, bumpy, coarse and textured.
What part of speech is “smooth”?
Depending on how it is used, “smooth” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “smooth” come from?
The word “smooth” comes from Old English. From Old English smēþe, "smooth," of unknown deeper origin.
Is “smooth” a common word?
“Smooth” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the opposite of smooth?
The main opposite is rough, describing a surface that is uneven, bumpy, or coarse to the touch. Depending on context, other opposites include jagged, textured, or bumpy for surfaces, and, when "smooth" means trouble-free, words like turbulent, bumpy, or difficult serve as antonyms.
Does "smooth" only describe surfaces?
No. Beyond an even, bump-free surface, "smooth" describes motion without jolts, as in a smooth ride; a process free of problems, as in a smooth transition; a mellow taste, as in a smooth coffee; and manner or charm, as in a smooth talker. The core idea is absence of roughness.
What is an example of something smooth?
A polished sheet of glass or a still, calm lake surface are classic examples, offering no bumps or texture. Silk fabric, a river-worn pebble, and freshly sanded wood are others. Each shares the defining trait: an even surface free of roughness that feels uniform to the touch.
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