smooth

adjective \ ˈsmüt͟h \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of smooth

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

See smooth defined for English-language learners

See smooth defined for kids

Examples of smooth in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of smooth from the Web

Puree cauliflower, almond milk, and vanilla extract in blender until smooth.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Two smart ways to cook with cauliflower," 18 Sep. 2017
Electric power sanders are the best, quickest, and easiest way to sand wood smooth.

— joseph truini, Popular Mechanics, "Know Your Power Sanders, And How to Use Them," 5 Sep. 2017
For the Topping In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the fromage blanc, crème fraîche, flour, oil, egg yolk, and nutmeg until smooth.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "Teaching an Old Dog Old Tricks," 19 Oct. 2013
On Ceres, the relatively smooth flanks of Ahuna Mons and the presence of water ice suggest material bursting forth from within.

— nola taylor redd, Discover Magazine, "Pluto and Ceres: Long Lost Twins?," 10 Nov. 2017
The term ruffle brick comes from the manufacturing process that makes each end of the brick rough while the sides are left smooth.

— joyce rudolph, Glendale News-Press, "On the Town: Historical society defends Glendale Craftsman style," 3 Oct. 2017
While the lovebirds' engagement photos are picture perfect, the proposal wasn't exactly smooth sailing, according to Brown.

— katelyn lunders, Woman's Day, "'Sister Wives' Star Logan Brown Just Proposed to His Girlfriend Michelle Petty," 20 Sep. 2017
Ever present were Secretary of State James Baker and National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, who honed a smooth policy operation.

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "A trip to Texas and the sad contrast between Bush 41's foreign policy and Trump's," 12 Sep. 2017
Some of the material in these plumes lands on Enceladus, helping to keep its surface smooth and bright.

— deborah netburn, www.latimes.com, "Check out Cassini’s jaw-dropping discoveries of Saturn’s moons," 8 Sep. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of smooth

Middle English smothe, from Old English smōth; akin to Old Saxon smōthi smooth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

smooth Synonyms

Synonyms

debonair, suave, sophisticated, svelte, urbane

Antonyms

boorish, churlish, classless, clownish, loutish, uncouth

Near Antonyms

awkward, clumsy, gauche, graceless, stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden; callow, green, inexperienced, puerile, raw; hick, parochial, provincial, rough-hewn, rustic (also rustical); inelegant, philistine, uncivilized, uncultured, unrefined; unsophisticated, unworldly; gawky, lubberly, stodgy, ungainly; diffident, insecure

Synonym Discussion of 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

smooth

verb

Definition of smooth

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

See smooth defined for English-language learners

Examples of smooth in a Sentence

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 of smooth from the Web

With Gurriel striding to the plate, Darvish walked behind the mound for about 10 seconds, before taking the mound, then walking to the front of it to smooth out some dirt with his foot.

— matt young, Houston Chronicle, "Astros' Yuli Gurriel gives Yu Darvish sign of respect, flies out," 1 Nov. 2017
Once the ash and contaminated soil was removed, Klug said the soil was graded, or scraped, to remove additional contaminated soil and smooth the surface.

— matt wotus and melissa gray, CNN, "Toxic ash, debris from California wildfires pose risks during cleanup," 28 Oct. 2017
Skip products containing oil and silicon, which are great for smoothing frizz but will weigh fine hair down. 14.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "15 Life-Changing Hacks To Make Your Thin Hair Look Thick," 26 Oct. 2017
After May leaves the summit on Friday morning, the other 27 leaders are due to call on their staff to prepare for talks on a transition period that would smooth Britain’s exit in 2019.

— Fortune, "Angela Merkel Has Sent a Positive Signal to Theresa May on Brexit Talks," 19 Oct. 2017
The extension helped smooth the sticker shock of the reduction in pace, while also buying more time for the ECB.

— richard barley, WSJ, "ECB May Choose a Long, Slow Goodbye to Extraordinary Stimulus," 8 Oct. 2017
Koste helped George smooth out discrepancies en route.

— james ellroy, Vanities, "James Ellroy’s Buzz M for Murder," 7 Oct. 2017
And the report suggested tweaks to how small companies trade to smooth out the ability to buy and sell the shares.

— annie massa, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Administration Wants an Easier Path for Firms to Go Public," 6 Oct. 2017
One key appears to be the difference between surface air temperatures and air temperatures much higher up at the top of the troposphere at altitudes where thunderclouds smooth out into anvils.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "How Many Hurricanes Can There Be at Once?," 11 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of smooth

15th century

smooth Synonyms

Synonyms

facilitate, grease, loosen (up), ease, unclog

Antonyms

complicate

Related Words

accelerate, expedite, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed; advance, forward, further, promote; abet, aid, assist, help, improve; disentangle, straighten (out), untangle; simplify, streamline

Near Antonyms

hinder, impede; retard; aggravate, worsen; perplex, sophisticate

smooth

noun

Definition of smooth

1 : a smooth part

2 : the act of smoothing

3 : a smoothing implement

Recent Examples of smooth from the Web

This wireless bra lifts, smooths and supports while banishing any bulge under your favorite tee.

— kami phillips, PEOPLE.com, "The Best Spanx Shapewear That's Worth Buying for Under $100," 22 Aug. 2017
This new incarnation - with smooth, steel track placed on top of a massive wood structure - is known in the industry as a hybrid coaster.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Dante's Inferno accepting job applicants for Flats eatery," 16 Aug. 2017
The 11 ball bearings make every cast with any lure smooth as silk.

— wes coast, NOLA.com, "Six baitcasting reels under $200, perfect for South Louisiana," 12 July 2017
This store opening comes just months after its blockbuster collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the release of which went less-than-smooth, but undoubtedly legitimized Supreme's higher-fashion bona fides.

— jake woolf, GQ, "A rare interview with Supreme founder James Jebbia as he opens a brand-new shop in Williamsburg.," 5 Oct. 2017
Sharpen and balance mower blades to give a smooth cut to leaf blades Vegetable and fruit plantings 25.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "October gardening calendar," 30 Sep. 2017
Call it the youthful face holy grail: Everyone wants smooth, lifted, and wrinkle-free skin.

— maureen choi, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Your At-Home Routine Can Amplify Your Injectables," 15 Sep. 2017
Like an act of moving meditation, the synagogue attendant smooths over a week’s worth of footprints on the sand floor of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel in Willemstad, Curaçao.

— ryan schuessler, Smithsonian, "Why Sand Covers the Floor of One of the Western Hemisphere’s Oldest Synagogues," 15 June 2017
Using your fingertips, apply a primer to ensure the rest of your makeup goes on smooth and stays on all day.

— sam escobar, Good Housekeeping, "How to Cover Up a Bad Breakout and Acne Scars With Makeup," 25 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of smooth

15th century

SMOOTH Defined for English Language Learners

smooth

adjective

Definition of smooth for English Language Learners

: having a flat, even surface : not rough : not having any bumps, ridges, or uneven parts
of a liquid mixture : not having any lumps : mixed together so there are no lumps
: happening or done without any problems

smooth

verb

Definition of smooth for English Language Learners

: to make (something) smooth
: to remove problems or difficulties from a situation
: to spread (something) over a surface (such as your skin) : to apply (something) by rubbing it on a surface

SMOOTH Defined for Kids

smooth

adjective \ ˈsmüt͟h \

Definition of smooth for Students

smoother; smoothest

1 : not rough or uneven in surface

a smooth board

2 : not hairy

a smooth face

3 : free from difficulties or things in the way

a smooth path

a smooth journey

4 : moving or progressing without breaks, sudden changes, or shifts

a smooth stream

smooth speech

5 : appearing to be friendly and flattering without really meaning it

a smooth talker

—

smoothly

adverb

—

smoothness

noun

smooth

verb

Definition of smooth for Students

smoothed; smoothing

1 : to remove bumps, lumps, or wrinkles : make smooth

2 : to free from trouble or difficulty

Pioneers smoothed the way for us.

Medical Dictionary

smooth

adjective \ ˈsmüt͟h \

medical Definition of smooth

: 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