smooth

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h

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

: being without hair

: glabrous

a smooth leaf

: causing no resistance to sliding

: free from difficulties or impediments

the smooth course of his life

: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight

: excessively and often artfully suave : ingratiating

a smooth operator

: serene, equable

a smooth disposition

: amiable, courteous

: not sharp or harsh

a smooth sherry

: free from lumps

smooth adverb

smoothly adverb

smoothness noun

smooth

2 of 3

verb

smoothed; smoothing; smooths also smoothes

transitive verb

: to make smooth

: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish

smoothed out his style

: soothe

: 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

: to free from obstruction or difficulty

conciliation smoothed the way to an agreement

: to press flat

smoothed down the folds of her dress

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

: to cause to lie evenly and in order : preen

a bird smoothing its feathers

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

intransitive verb

: to become smooth

smoother noun

smooth

3 of 3

noun

: a smooth part

: the act of smoothing

: a smoothing implement

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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But his relationship with Disney has, so far, been a smooth one.

Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2022 This is one seriously exciting deal from Hydrow, a SELF Home Fitness Award-winning brand of rowing machine that offers live and on-demand classes, a super smooth ride, and vertical storage.

Sarah Madaus, SELF, 28 Nov. 2022 Its claim to fame includes impressive stability and a smooth ride in rough seas, coupled with low fuel consumption.

Howard Walker, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2022 Topping off the smooth ride is a soft, foot-hugging upper and a more generous fit.

Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2022 The purpose of a flywheel is to give you a smooth ride while giving the sensation of momentum without actually moving you forward.

Stacey Freeman, Popular Mechanics, 16 Nov. 2022 As a result, instead of a smooth ride up the ranks, Emmer only narrowly bested Indiana Representative Jim Banks 115-106 on Tuesday to become the GOP Whip.

Patrick Caldwell, The New Republic, 15 Nov. 2022 From then on New Deal and progressive legislation had a smooth ride until quite recently.

Charles Fried, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2022 Scoot around the neighborhood on this super smooth ride.

Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 26 Sep. 2022

Verb

Graduate students in the prosthetics and orthotics program also are learning how to use melted polypropylene to wrap a model leg – cast from one of their fellow students – and to cut and smooth it to make an orthotic.

Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 20 Oct. 2022 Pair with your fav, tried and true edge control, and use the comb side to shape your edges and the brush to smooth them.

Essence, 10 Aug. 2022 Where dislocation does occur, adjustment assistance should help smooth it out.

Stephanie Murphy, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2022 Buff the wax to smooth it out and restore shine to the floor.

Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2022 The Double-Duty Face Moisturizer utilizes blue algae extract to soothe irritated skin and smooth it with phospholipids to attract moisture.

The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Put pillows in pillowcases and fluff and smooth them.

BostonGlobe.com, 7 Nov. 2021 The shampoo and conditioner set combined has hundreds of glowing reviews from Nordstrom shoppers, who note how the products smooth, soften, moisturize, and thicken hair without feeling oily or heavy.

Ariel Scotti, Health.com, 23 Sep. 2021 The two reports make for two straight months when nearly 1 million jobs were added – totals that are close to the optimistic predictions many economists had last year about how vaccinations would smooth the way for the labor market recovery.

Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2021

Noun

And if all this isn’t enough, the jacket is completely reversible, with one side puffy and the other smooth.

Barry Samaha, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2022 There are two adaptive-damping modes, but the default setting is ideal for both track and mountain-road use, especially if the asphalt is anything less than billiard-table smooth.

Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 22 Mar. 2022 Testers unanimously rated the fabric smooth, yet not too slippery.

Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2022 First introduced 22 years ago in 1999, the mouthwatering pastry features a creamy smooth, vanilla custard nestled in a flaky, buttery crust glazed with sugar and topped with rainbow sprinkles.

PEOPLE.com, 1 Dec. 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA's best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration.

Greg Beacham, Star Tribune, 4 June 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA’s best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration.

Greg Beacham, orlandosentinel.com, 4 June 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA’s best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration.

Greg Beacham, ajc, 4 June 2021 Once the glue is dry, remove the clamp and sand the joint smooth.

Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smooth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Smooth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smooth. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

smooth

1 of 2 adjective

ˈsmüt͟h

: having a continuous even surface : not rough

a smooth skin

: not hairy

: free from obstacles or difficulties

a smooth path

: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight

: flattering but not truthfully so

a smooth talker

: calm in manner or behavior : serene

a smooth disposition

: amiable, courteous

: not sharp or harsh

a smooth sherry

smoothly adverb

smoothness noun

smooth

2 of 2 verb

: to make smooth

smooth the edge of a board

: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish

smoothed out my style

: to make calm : soothe

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

smoothed things over with apologies

: to free from trouble or difficulty

smoothed the way for a quick end to the dispute

: to press flat

smoothed down the folds of the tablecloth

: 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